Champions League, league stage, day two

Victories for Real Madrid and Betis rounded off a good second day for the Spanish Champions League sides. Real Madrid beat Olympiakos 2-1, although it was not as easy as they would have liked. Raúl got a record 50th goal in Europe early on, but Kafes equalised after the restart and only a late goal from young substitute Soldado gave them the three points. Meanwhile Betis got their first win in the competition, Oliveira getting the only goal in the second half to beat Anderlecht 0-1. (28.09.05)

Real Madrid 2 - Olympiakos 1

A late goal by young substitute Soldado saved the day for Real Madrid, who had more problems than they expected beating Olympiakos. The "Galacticos" over-ran their rivals in the first half and it was a miracle they were not way ahead by the break. Raúl headed the opening goal early on from a cross by an excellent Beckham, a record 50th in Europe's top competition, and after that it was one way traffic. But Nikopolidis kept out all and sundry, and Kafes caught out Casillas with a long shot just two minutes after the restart. In the end Luxemburgo was forced to turn to Soldado, who came up trumps heading Beckham's cross past the keeper at the second attempt with just four minutes remaining. Madrid ended the match with ten men after Sergio Ramos was sent off for retaliating. (28.09.05)

Anderlecht 0 - Betis 1

Betis got their first win in the competition, Oliveira getting the only goal in the second half to beat Anderlecht 0-1. There was an early scare when Jestrovic hit the bar, but the Spaniards were by far the better side throughout the first half. Oliveira, Miguel Angel and Joaquín all rattled the woodwork, and local keeper Proto proved why so many clubs tried to sign him this summer with a string of excellent saves. Doblas had to be at his best though as the Belgians pushed forward in the second half, but shortly after hitting the post again, Oliveira finally got the goal Betis were looking for when he picked up a pass from Joaquín to score. Fernando hit the post for a fifth time late on, but his side had already done enough. (28.09.05)

A better start for Spanish sides on day two of the Champions League. Barcelona had no problems seeing off Udinese, a Ronaldinho hat-trick (including a last minute penalty) and a Deco free kick giving them a 4-1 victory. And Villarreal recorded their second 0-0 draw in a row, this time away at Lille, to keep Pellegrini's side on track for a place in the next round. (27.09.05)

Barcelona 4 - Udinese 1

Barcelona took another big step towards a place in the next round with a comfortable 4-1 win over Udinese. The hero of the night was hat-trick man Ronaldinho, who opened the scoring with a magnificent free kick into the top corner of the net with less than a quarter of an hour gone. Felipe got ahead of Belletti to connect with a long corner and fire home the equaliser a few minutes later, but Ronaldinho restored the lead soon afterwards after good work by Eto'o and Messi, and Deco made it three with another set-piece free kick before the break. The Italians were left with ten men when Vidigal was shown a second yellow card soon after the restart, and Ronaldinho completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the last minute. (27.09.05)

Lille 0 - Villarreal 0

Villarreal were technically superior to Lille but came away with their second scoreless draw in the league stage. The French side had the better of the opening minutes, but Riquelme could have given the Spaniards the lead later in the half when his free kick grazed the post. Figueroa had a header tipped over the bar after the restart, but Odemwingie hit the crossbar at the other end a few minutes later. All in all though a reasonable result for Pellegrini's side, who now have a double header with Benfica coming up. (27.09.05)