Champions league - quarter-finals, second leg

Manchester United 4 - Real Madrid 3

Another amazing game between Manchester United and Real Madrid, with the English side winning by the odd goal in a seven goal thriller but the Spaniards going through to the semi-final thanks to their 3-1 win in the first leg. The hero of the night for Madrid was Ronaldo, who opened the scoring in the twelfth minute with a long shot and who was to complete a hat-trick in the second half. Van Nistelrooy made it all square on the stroke of half time after Solkjaer set him up, but a combination between Zidane and Roberto Carlos left Ronaldo with an easy tap-in soon after the restart. Two minutes later Helguera turned Verón's shot into his own net, but Ronaldo restored the lead again on the hour mark with an individualist goal. That put the tie beyond United's reach, and although substitute David Beckham scored with a text book free kick and then added another scrambled goal near the end to give his side victory on the night, the European champions were never really in danger of being knocked out. They go on to defend their title against Juventus in May's two leg semi-final, and if they get through that then they will return to Old Trafford for the final against one of the two Milan sides. (23.04.03)

Valencia 2 - Inter Milan 1

History repeated itself at the Mestalla stadium, where Inter Milan knocked Valencia out of a European competition for the second year in a row. Last season Héctor Cúper's side beat the league champions in the quarter final of the UEFA cup, and this year they did the same in this Champions League fixture thanks to the away goal rule. Cristian Vieri did the damage in only the fifth minute of the game after Ayala let a soft pass through his legs, the Italo-Australian striker finding the net at the second attempt after Cañizares palmed away his first effort. Two minutes later Aimar levelled the scores, picking up a loose ball after Carew was tackled to round a defender and hit an angled shot past Toldo. Game on, and only a series of great saves from Toldo kept the scores level at the break. Five minutes in to the second half the Italian keeper tipped another shot from Baraja over the bar, but from the resulting corner the Spanish international got his revenge, leaving Di Biagio behind to head down into the net. Two minutes later Juan Sánchez was brought down in the area by Materazzi and the crowd bayed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. That took the wind out of their sails, and although Aimar and Juan Sánchez went close, they could not break down Cúper's defence in the end. Inter could even have scored again when Cañizares stuck out a foot to stop a shot from Recoba, but it wasn't necessary and the Italians go on to possible semi-final with city rivals AC Milan. Valencia now have to get their act back together, and have to win back fourth place in the league if they want to try again next year. At least they will have no distractions from now on. (22.04.03)

Barcelona 1 - Juventus 2

A goal in extra time from ex Sevilla striker Zalayeta gave Juventus a 1-2 win at Barcelona, ending the Spanish side's unbeaten record in the competition this season and leaving them out of the competition. A draw in Turin two weeks ago had given Antic's side hope of going through, but they found it hard going against a side who were prepared to use any manner they could to stop them. Saviola headed over as early as the second minute and the referee turned down a penalty appeal when Thuram handled the ball in the area, but the Italians had their chances too, with Di Vaio slipping when free in the penalty area, Del Piero and Ferrara heading wide and Bonano making a double save from Davids. The best chance of scoring for the Catalans though came when Luis Enrique got free in front of Buffon at the start of the second half, but he curled his shot just wide of the post. It was to prove a costly miss, and just five minutes later Nedved cut in from the left around Andersson and beat Bonano with a low shot. The Catalans came back though and Xavi pounced on a loose ball to fire an equaliser and give the fans hope. Soon afterwards Juventus were reduced to ten men after Davids picked up a second booking, and as the game went into extra time Antic risked everything, leaving his side with only two defenders to try and get the winner. The visitors fought hard though, and with a penalty shoot out on the cards, Birindelli found Zalayeta on a rapid counter-attack for him to score the winning goal. There was no time left for anything else, and Barça's last chance of winning a title and qualifying for next season's Champions League had gone. (22.04.03)