Champions League, league stage, day one

A best possible start for Spanish sides in the opening day of the Champions League proper, with Barcelona thrashing Levski Sofia 5-0 and Valencia beating Olympiacos 2-4 in Greece. However not such good news the following day, Real Madrid losing their opening game 2-0 at Olympique Lyon. (13.09.06)

Olympique Lyon 2 - Real Madrid 0

For the second year in a row, Real Madrid lost their opening group game to Olympique Lyon. Fabio Capello's side were met with an onslaught in the first half, with Fred opening the scoring from Juninho's pass in only the eleventh minute. The French team could have scored three or four more against a shaky defence before Tiago made it two on the half hour mark, and Malouda also hit the bar before the half time whistle. Lyon slackened off after the restart, but Madrid were unable to take advantage and Coupet was hardly tested throughout the night. (13.09.06)

Barcelona 5 - Levski Sofia 0

Defending champions Barcelona had no problems despatching Levski Sofia on a rainy night in the Nou Camp stadium. Iniesta started things off in the sixth minute after Eto'o played on Ronaldinho's pass, and Giuly added the second shortly before the break following a quickly taken free kick. Puyol got his first ever Champions League goal four minutes after the restart after Petkov could only push out Ronaldinho's free kick, and Eto'o made it four with a solo effort before Ronaldinho curled a fifth past the keeper in injury time. (12.09.06)

Olympiacos 2 - Valencia 4

A hat-trick from Fernando Morientes gave Valencia a 2-4 win in their opening match against Olympiacos. Konstantinou had opened the scoring for the hosts on the half hour mark, but the ex Real Madrid and Liverpool striker scored two in five minutes before the break to turn the scoreline around. Castillo equalised gain midway through the second half, but Raúl Albiol restored the lead following a corner five minutes from the end and Morientes wrapped things up, heading home Silva's corner in the last minute. (12.09.06)