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News Archive

Champions League, day 3

Real Madrid made it three wins out of three after a 2-1 victory against Juventus on Wednesday evening, and they too have virtually tied up a place in the knock-out stages. Ronaldo opened the scoring early on, and although Llorente made it all square soon afterwards, the Portuguese striker fired home the winner from the penalty spot later in the first half to take his own tally to seven goals in three games. Real Sociedad are virtually out of the competition though after they lost 1-0 at Manchester United. Iñigo Martínez put through his own net in only the second minute, and although they put up a brave fight after that, the Basque side couldn't prevent a third defeat in a row. (23.10.13)

Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are already close to a place in the knock-out stage after both picked up positive results on Tuesday evening. Barcelona eked out a 1-1 draw at AC Milan to stay two points above the Italians at the top of their group, Messi saving a point with a first half equalizer after Robinho had given the locals an early lead. And Atlético Madrid beat Austria Vienna 0-3 to make it three wins out of three, Raúl García opening the scoring for Simeone's side in the eighth minute and Diego Costa adding two more either side of half time. (22.10.13)

Real Madrid 2 - Juventus 1

Real Madrid are on maximum points after their first three games after they beat Juventus 2-1 on Wednesday evening, and they have already all but tied up a place in the knock-out stages. Casillas was once again back in goal, and he had to be at his best to save from Marchisio early on. However a couple of minutes later Di María slipped the ball through for Cristiano Ronaldo, who ghosted past Buffon before clipping an angled shot in to the net. The Italians came back though, Tévez and Cáceres going close, and midway through the first half Llorente made it all square after Casillas could only push out a header from Pogba. Ronaldo restored the lead from the penalty spot however after Chiellini pulled down Sergio Ramos in the area soon afterwards, his seventh goal in the competition this year, and a couple of minutes in to the second half Chiellini got himself sent off for a foul on the Portuguese striker. Benzema wasted a good chance to increase the lead after that, but Casillas and his defence held fast for another important win. (23.10.13)

Manchester United 1 - Real Sociedad 0

Real Sociedad are virtually out of the competition after they lost 1-0 at Manchester United, and at the halfway stage they have still to pick up a point. Once again however they put up a brave fight, even though they went behind in only the second minute when Iñigo Martínez put through his own net after Rooney's shot came back off the post. Bravo had to save from Rooney soon afterwards, and Chicharito had a goal ruled out for offside, but De Gea had to be on his toes to turn a shot from Seferovic away for a corner, and Griezmann rattled the post before the break with a well struck free kick. De la Bella also hit the bar with a long cross after the restart, and Zurutuza and Pardo fired free kicks over the top, but the Premier League side could also have added to their lead had Bravo not kept out Jones, Valencia and Kagawa later on. (23.10.13)

AC Milan 1 - Barcelona 1

Barcelona eked out a 1-1 draw at AC Milan on Tuesday evening to stay two points above the Italians at the top of their group. The locals started well, Muntari having a goal ruled out for a borderline offside before Kaká set up Robinho to open the scoring. Messi fired a free kick just wide though, and midway through the first half her picked up a pass from Iniesta and held off his marker before poking a shot past Amelia. After that there were chances for both sides, Mexes heading wide from a corner before the break and Robinho missing a good chance soon after the restart, and Amelia having to save from Alexis and Iniesta either side of half time. Neymar and Adriano also went close, and Muntari got through late on only to be closed down by the defence. A fair result in the end though, and the two teams must be favourites to go through to the knockout stage. (22.10.13)

Austria Vienna 0 - Atlético Madrid 3

Atlético Madrid beat Austria Vienna 0-3 on Tuesday evening to make it three wins out of three. Within twenty minutes Simeone's side were already two up, Raúl García finishing off after Koke and Filipe Luis combined to set him up, and Diego Costa (who only just passed a late fitness test) running through from his own half after García laid off Filipe's clearance to steer a shot wide of Lindner. Koke and Costa went close after that, but shortly before half time the Austrians should have scored, Hosiner seeing his shot hit the crossbar and bounce down just outside of the goal. Early in the second half though Costa picked up Insúa's cross to make it three, and only some good saves by the local keeper from Koke, Cristian Rodríguez and his own defender Suttler prevented the visitors from adding to the scoreline. (22.10.13)