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News Archive

Champions League, quarter final, second leg

Real Madrid 5 - APOEL Nicosia 2

Real Madrid completed the formalities on Wednesday evening, a 5-2 win over APOEL Nicosia setting up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich. Already three up from the first leg, Ronaldo and Kaká added two more before the break, the first a shot on the far post after Higuaín headed over Marcelo's cross, and the second with a shot from outside of the area after picking up another assist from Marcelo. Manduca got one back for the Cypriot side midway through the second half to send the 4,00 or so traveling fans wild. But Ronaldo beat ex Barça B keeper Urko Pardo with a wide free kick a few minutes later, and Callejón combined with fellow substitute Di María to score a fourth soon afterwards. APOEL did get a second goal, Solari converting a penalty after Altintop brought down Adorno in the area, but Di María signalled his return after an injury lay-off with a superb fifth, running on to lob Pardo and make it an aggregate scoreline of 8-2 in the end. (04.04.12)

Barcelona 3 - AC Milan 1

Barcelona are through to the Champions League semi-finals for the fifth year in a row after beating AC Milan 3-1 in their second leg match. Guardiola's side took the advantage early on after Nesta brought down Messi in the area, Messi himself converting the resulting spot kick. But with just over half an hour gone Ibrahimovic set up Nocerino to equalise, and with the first leg ending scoreless, that put Milan ahead on the away goal rule. A few minutes before the break however, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers awarded Barça a second penalty, Nesta again the offender for pulling down Busquets, and once again Messi stepped up to beat Abbiati. And eight minutes after the restart Iniesta made it three, picking up the rebound after Messi's shot was blocked and curling the ball wide of the keeper. Valdés had to make a couple of saves from Robinho and Pato after that, but Barça were generally on top, and Thiago, Adriano and Messi all had chances to extend the lead later on. (03.04.12)