Champions League round of sixteen—first leg results

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

The first leg of the round of sixteen in the Champions League was completed on Wednesday, with at least one controversial result, and a bag full of ties. The leg began on Tuesday with four games, and the other four were played the next day, including reigning champions FC Barcelona of Spain.

Champions League logo.

Results

Real Madrid (Spain) 3 - 2 Bayern Munich (Germany)

David Beckham.

English star David Beckham started the game for the Galácticos, while Canadian/Englishman Owen Hargreaves started his first game back after injury for Bayern Munich. Madrid came out fast, with David Beckham passing it to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who slid in a tidy pass to Raúl, who slid the ball past Oliver Kahn in the bottom right corner of the net. Bayern struck back within 13 minutes, after a Willy Sagnol free kick was headed home by Lúcio. Madrid kept up the fight, and 5 minutes later, Raúl was on the score sheet again after heading home a David Beckham corner kick. Real increased their lead 5 minutes later, when Ruud van Nistelrooy slotted home a redirected Beckham free kick. Bayern was able to grab a crucial late away goal via Mark van Bommel.

PSV Eindhoven (Holland) 1 - 0 Arsenal (England)

Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal were without several key players due to their upcoming Carling cup final against Chelsea this weekend, but star Thierry Henry was in the squad along with Emmanuel Adebayor as a strike partner. The only goal came in the 61'st minute, when Edison Méndez shot a low screamer past Jens Lehmann from around 25 yards from goal.

Lille (France) 0 - 1 Manchester United (England)

In a game ripe with controversy, Manchester United walked away with a crucial away win after a Ryan Giggs free kick gave them the lead. Lille protested the goal, saying the team was setting up its wall at the time Giggs took the kick, and the team nearly left the pitch. After goading by officials, the game was resumed, but Lille said it would be making a stake for a replay with UEFA. UEFA has rejected the claim and declared the goal valid, as well as deciding to "instigate proceedings against Lille for the improper behaviour of their players immediately after the goal."

Celtic (Scotland) 0 - 0 A.C. Milan (Italy)

A spirited draw both sides played competitively, but neither had a finishing flourish to seal the points.

Roma (Italy) 0 - 0 Lyon (France)

Another goalless draw, this game lacked discipline. English referee Mike Riley issued 11 yellow cards, 8 for Roma alone.

Inter Milan (Italy) 2 - 2 Valencia (Spain)

Santiago Cañizares.

Inter came into this game on a 15 game winning league in domestic play, while Valencia as also been hot in the Spanish league as of late. Inter struck first with Cambiasso pouncing on a rebound after Ibrahimović redirection of a Figo freekick was fabulously saved by goalie Cañizares. Valencia replied in the second half with a free kick by David Villa Sanchez form 30 yards. Inter restored their lead just over 10 minutes later, as Maicon slotted home a Julio Cruz pass. As the game wound down, Valancia pressed, and were rewarded with a goal by Silva, a volley ensuing from a corner.

Porto (Portugal) 1 - 1 Chelsea (England)

Both goals happened early in this game, with the home side taking the lead after 12 minutes. Raúl Meireles volleyed a ball towards the net, and after a deflection of Frank Lampard's knee, the ball beat Petr Čech low. Chelsea leveled only 4 minutes later, when Arjen Robben jetted down the sideline and crossed the ball into the middle, where Andriy Shevchenko slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Barcelona (Spain) 1 - 2 Liverpool (England)

This game saw the current champions taking on the champions of the year previous. Barcelona came out strong, and Brazilian Deco scored early, heading in a Zambrotta cross. Liverpool leveled just before half time, with Craig Bellamy heading a ball across the net, and out of the reach of Víctor Valdés. After the break, John Arne Riise gave Liverpool a crucial away win, as he cleared home a Bellamy pass after some poor defending by Barcelona.


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