Champions league - first phase, day 4

Lens 3 - Deportivo La Coruña 1

Deportivo La Coruña left themselves with a lot to do in their last two games after throwing away a half time lead to lose 3-1 at Lens. Roy Makaay put the Spanish side ahead with a quarter of an hour gone, his fifth Champions League goal in four games, rounding keeper Warmuz to score from a wide angle. And the score remained unmoved up until the hour mark, when a long shot from Coulibaly beat Juanmi. The French side needed a victory though to keep their options alive, and they continued to peg Depor back in their own half. Irureta's men managed to resist up until twelve minutes before the end, when an active Moreira put his side in front with another shot from outside of the area following an indirect free kick, and Thomert added a third shortly before the final whistle. Depor now need to beat Bayern Munich next week in the Riazor stadium to be sure of reaching the next round.

Barcelona 1 - Lokomotiv Moscow 0

Barcelona are the first Spanish side to qualify for the second stage after a 1-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow. It was not a pretty performance though by Van Gaal's side, who could well have lost this game by a big score. The manager brought back Bonano in goal, and the Argentine veteran made two vital saves in the first half from Obradovic and Julio César as the defence fell apart. And when he was beaten in the second half, Puyol was there to stand his ground against Obiorah and chest away his shot. Frank De Boer was the butt of the crowd's anger for much of the match, but he saved the day with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, forcing a powerful header past Ovchinnikov from close range following a free kick from Riquelme, who had made the starting line up for once in place of the injured Luis Enrique. An important win after a bad run of games, but certainly not a return to form. (23.10.02)

Basel 2 - Valencia 2

Valencia only need one point from their last two games to ensure themselves of a place in the next phase after drawing 2-2 at Basel. Rafa Benitez's side came from behind to lead the match and were virtually qualified until a last minute goal from Ergic saved a point for the Swiss side. Ergic himself had given the locals the lead from Hakan Yakin's pass on the half hour mark, but Baraja levelled the scores four minutes later with a shot from outside of the area which keeper Zuberbühler could only turn into his own net. Curro Torres put Valencia ahead in the second half, but after a period of intense pressure Christian Gross' side got the last gasp equaliser to keep their hopes of qualifying alive. Valencia visit Liverpool next week, but if they fail there they have a home match against Spartak Moscow a fortnight later to wrap things up.

Real Madrid 2 - AEK Athens 2

Real Madrid threw away a two goal lead and ended up drawing 2-2 against AEK Athens. Missing the injured Figo, Raúl and Makelele, Del Bosque gave an outing to Steve McManaman on the right wing, and the Englishman took full advantage of a rare start to score twice in the first half, the first after good work from Cambiasso and the second from a pass by Ronaldo. However Madrid slackened off in the second half, and although Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside, they allowed the Greeks to get back in the game. Katsouranis pulled one back, heading a corner down past Casillas with a quarter of an hour to go, and substitute Centeno made it all square near the end turning in Ivic's pass. Madrid still head their group though with eight points, and are favourites to qualify. (22.10.02)