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News Archive

Champions League, day 2

A full house for La Liga sides this week, with all four winning their respective matches. Ronaldo scored his second hat-trick in four days, and Benzema fired home a spectacular scissors kick in between as Real Madrid ran out 1-4 winners at Ajax. And Málaga's honeymoon with the Champions League continued, the Andalusians beating Anderlecht 0-3 with two from Eliseu and a Joaquín penalty to make it six points from their first two matches. (03.10.12)

Wins for both Spanish teams on the opening day of the second round of matches, with Alexis and Fàbregas on target as Barcelona beat Benfica 0-2, and Jonas getting both goals in Valencia's 2-0 victory over Lille. (02.10.12)

Ajax 1 - Real Madrid 4

Real Madrid moved clear at the top of what is considered to be the most difficult group this season after beating Ajax 1-4 on Wednesday evening. Only a string of first class saves by Vermeer from Ronaldo, Kaká and Benzema kept the scoreline unmoved until shortly before half time, but with three minutes to go to the break Cristiano Ronaldo finally opened the scoring after Benzema's cross deflected off the keeper and a defender in to his path. Three minutes after the restart Benzema connected with Kaká's cross to score a spectacular second, but a few minutes later the Dutch side got one back, Moisander taking advantage of some slack marking to head Eriksen's corner down past Casillas. Boerrigter and Hoesen went close soon afterwards, but Benzema and Di María could have scored again before Ronaldo wrapped things up with two goals in three minutes, completing his second hat-trick in four days. (03.10.12)

Anderlecht 0 - Málaga 3

Málaga's honeymoon with the Champions League continued for another week, the Andalusians beating Anderlecht 0-3 to make it six points from their first two matches. Pellegrini's side dominated the first half, with Proto having to save from Joaquín, Isco and Saviola, and Eliseu shooting just wide before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the keeper on the stroke of half time. Joaquín added a second from the penalty spot after Kouyaté tripped Monreal in the area soon after the restart, and a few minutes later Eliseu chipped Proto for his second of the evening after Isco put him through. Iturra and Duda could have increased the lead after that, and The Belgian side's only reply was header wide by Gillet later on. Next up AC Milan! (03.10.12)

Benfica 0 - Barcelona 2

Two wins out of two in the Champions League, and eight in a row in all competitions as Barcelona beat Benfica 0-2 on Tuesday evening. The Portuguese team started with ten South Americans and a Serbian in their initial line up, and Bruno César caused some problems for Victor Valdés at the start. However with six minutes on the clock Alexis got on the end of Messi's cross to open the scoring, and a few minutes later Artur had to be at his best to turn an effort from Messi round the post. Salvio tested Valdés again a couple of times just before the break, but Alexis went close twice either side of half time before a great run by Messi ended with him putting Fàbregas through to score the second. Valdés did have some work to do after that, and there was bad news late on for Tito Vilanova when Puyol picked up a serious elbow injury and Busquets was red-carded for a rash tackle, but Barça seem to have this group tied up already. (02.10.12)

Valencia 2 - Lille 0

Valencia bounced back after their opening day defeat against Bayern Munich, a 2-0 win over Lille putting them back on track for reaching the knockout stage. Injuries and suspensions to his key central defenders meant that Pellegrino had to give a first run out to B team centre back Carlos Delgado, with Guaita replacing Diego Alves between the sticks. However other than an effort wide by Balmont and a couple of long shots by Payet, the French side never threatened to score, and Feghouli put a good chance wide before Jonas picked up a return pass from Soldado to give the Spaniards the lead. After the restart Soldado went close with a header from Feghouli's cross, and with ten minutes to go Jonas scored his second of the night, although it was not clear whether he really meant to lob Landreu from wide on the right, or just to cross the ball in to the box. Whatever the case that wrapped things up, and any chance of a comeback by the visitors ended when Debuchy was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end. (02.10.12)