Champions' League, quarter finals first leg

Real Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Monaco 4-2 and take a useful lead into the second leg. Although Queiroz's side had the better chances of a lively first half, Squillaci caught them out when he poked home a loose ball on the stroke of half time. Madrid equalised five minutes after the break in a confusing play, where Helguera and Squillaci went for Beckham's corner and the ball ended up in the net despite Bernardi's best efforts to clear. Zidane put the Spaniards ahead with twenty minutes to go from a possible offside position after Roma blocked Figo's shot, and soon afterwards the referee awarded a penalty when Ronaldo was felled by Squillaci. Roma palmed out Figo's spot kick, but the Portuguese winger followed up and headed the ball into the net. Ronaldo made it four after a good team move, but with everybody celebrating Morientes got on the end of Plasil's cross to narrow the gap to two goals. (24.03.04)

A crushing defeat for Deportivo La Coruña at the hands of reigning champions AC Milan left the Spaniards with a foot and a half out of the competition. Javier Irureta's side were quietly confident after knocking out last season's runners-up Juventus in the last round, and got off to the best possible start when Pandiani shook off his markers to head home Capdevila's cross with just over ten minutes on the clock. But Kaká levelled the scores with a well struck goal on the stroke of half time, and Depor just fell apart. Shevchenko made it two only twenty seconds after the restart, and Kaká got his second of the night just three minutes later. And with the Galicians still reeling, Pirlo bent a free kick past Molina to complete the rout. Depor now need to win by three clear goals in the second leg in a fortnight's time, a feat which is probably beyond them on tonight's showing. (23.03.04)