Champions league - second phase

Sparta Prague 2 - Real Madrid 3

Real Madrid made it three victories out of three for Spanish sides with a 2-3 victory at Sparta Prague. Madrid took the lead three times during the game, opening the scoring through Zidane with a looping shot which was helped in to the net by a defender. Michalik equalised on the half hour mark shortly after Morientes had rattled the crossbar, but the Madrid striker restored the lead soon afterwards getting on the end of Salgado's cross. Libor Sionko put some interest into the match with a good goal after the break, but only two minutes later Morientes got his second of the match and his fifth in three games after keeper Cech could only get an outstretched foot to a shot from Roberto Carlos.

Deportivo 2 - Arsenal 0

Deportivo de La Coruña got their revenge on Arsenal with a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Riazor stadium. The English side knocked them out of the UEFA cup a couple of seasons ago, but this time there was only one team in it as Depor raced into a two goal lead early on and then locked up shop for the rest of the game. Faced with a difficult choice between his two on-form strikers Makaay and Diego Tristán, Irureta decided to play them both, and they got a goal each before both left the field prematurely with injuries. Makaay opened the scoring in the ninth minute at the third attempt after the defence blocked two previous shots, and Tristán caught Richard Wright out of position with a speculative shot a few minutes later. Wright was replaced by young keeper Taylor at half time, but by then Deportivo had lost interest in anything but maintaining the result, which they did without too much trouble against an opposition who did not put up much of a fight. (21.11.01)

Liverpool 1 - Barcelona 3

Barcelona started the second phase of the Champions League with a 1-3 victory at Liverpool, probably their best performance of the season to date. The English side took the lead through Michael Owen on the half hour mark, but Kluivert made it all square before half time with a first time volley from the edge of the area. Substitute Rochemback put them in front in the second half, and after a quick passing move in their own half, Overmars drove the final nail in the coffin running on to a long ball to round Dudek and score. (20.11.01)