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News Archive

Champions League, day five

All three Spanish sides are through to the knock out stage after winning their respective matches this week. Real Madrid were already sure of a place in the last sixteen, but a 0-4 win over Ajax tied up top spot in group G. Benzema and Arbeloa scored in the first half, and Cristiano Ronaldo added two more after the break. On Wednesday Barcelona also made sure of finishing first in group D after beating Panathinaikos 0-3, Pedro netting twice and Messi getting one in between. And Valencia thrashed Bursaspor 6-1, with goals from Mata, Soldado (2), Aduríz, Joaquín and Chori Domínguez, to ensure at least a second place in group C. If they want to come first though they will have to beat Manchester United in Old Trafford in a couple of weeks time! (24.11.10)

Panathinaikos 0 - Barcelona 3

Barcelona came in to their next to last group game with Panathinaikos still needing to pick up a couple of points to ensure their place in the next round, but in the end they clocked up a comfortable 0-3 win to tie up top spot in group D. Rubin Kazan's victory over Copenhagen earlier in the evening still left Guardiola's side with work to do. But after Valdés kept out an early chance from Cissé, Pedro ran on to a return pass from Dani Alves to put the Catalans ahead. Villa tested Tzorvas a couple of times before the break and Adriano also brought a good save out of the keeper after the restart, and with just over an hour gone Messi finished off a quick passing move to make it two, the tenth game in a row that he has scored in. And seven minutes later Pedro got on the end of Iniesta's pass to score his second of the night for the final scoreline. Next up Real Madrid! (24.11.10)

Valencia 6 - Bursaspor 1

Valencia thrashed Bursaspor 6-1 on Wednesday evening to ensure at least a second place in group C, and they now go on to face Manchester United in Old Trafford in a couple of weeks time needing a win to climb above the Premier League side in the table. Yildirim did have a chance to give the Turkish side the lead when his lob over Moyà went just wide of the post, but after that the Ches steamrollered their opponents. By half time they were already four goals up, Mata getting the first from the penalty spot after Aduríz was tripped by Erdogan, and then setting up Soldado for a second soon afterwards. Aduríz made it three from a Jordi Alba cross, and Joaquín scored the best of the night with a shot from the edge of the area before the break. Soldado and Chori Domínguez scored two more after the restart, with Batalla scoring his team's first in the competition in between. A stroll in the park for Unai Emery's side. (24.11.10)

Ajax 0 - Real Madrid 4

Real Madrid made sure of top spot in their group with a comfortable 0-4 win over Ajax on Tuesday night. With ten minutes to go to half time Özil played back Xabi Alonso's long ball allowing Benzema to open the scoring, and before the half time whistle Arbeloa got a second after Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick came back off the defensive wall. Midway through the second half Ronaldo picked up a pass from Di María to make it three, and Ronaldo scored his second of the night from the penalty spot after Özil was pushed over in the area by Emanuelson with ten minutes left on the clock. In the last couple of minutes Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos got themselves conveniently sent off for time wasting, therefore missing the meaningless last group game. But it was a perfect night for Madrid, and this time they will be hoping to get further than the last sixteen. (23.11.10)