Group A
finally ended their miserable away record in Europe with a 4-0 win at PSV Eindhoven, and in the process broke the record for the quickest goal in Champions League history when Gilberta Silva netted after just 20.07 seconds. It was Arsene Wenger’s side’s first away in Europe inn ten attempts.
Although PSV dominated th erest of the half, they were unable to find the net, although Mateja Kezman was on target twice only to see both strikes ruled out for infringements.
After the break Arsenal raised their game and doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Freddie Lljungberg fired past Waterreus from a tight angle.
Two goals from Thierry Henry late in the game sealed a comfortable win for the Gunners. The night was marred by racial abuse and objects hurled at Henry and UEFA have already announced their intention to investigate the incidents.
Borussia Dortmund bounced back from last week’s defeat at Highbury to beat French side Auxerre 2-1.
Only six minutes had elapsed when the Matthias Sammer’s side went ahead courtesy of a Jan Koller strike from close range after good work from Jorg Heinrich.
Marcio Amoroso doubled the lead on on 78 minutes, but they were made to sweat in the closing minutes Benjamin Mwaruwari reduced the arrears.
The win takes Dortmund to second in the group, three points behind Arsenal who already look well set for a place in the next phase.
Group B
Despite dominating the game, Liverpool only had a Milan Baros strike to show for their efforts and when their defence was caught nappping on the stroke of half-time and were punished by Rossi who fired through Dudekk’s legs.
The point was scant reward for Liverpool’s efforts but their failure to convert numerous chances ultimately cost them all three points. Misfiring Michael Owen continued his goal drough and the England striker has now gone 9 games without scoring in open play.
The result boosts Basle’s chances and the following last week’s win against Spartak Moscow, the little-fancied Swiss side lie in second place, three points clear of Liverpool.
Valencia, who look the class act on this group, enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win against an out-of-sorts Spartak Moscow side.
Pablo Aimar was the chief tormentor for the Spanish side, the little Argentinean setting up goals for Miguel Angel Angulo and Juan Sanchez. Sanndwiched between these two strikes was Mista’s close range effort. Rafaell Benitez’s side allready look a good bet for the next stage and although Liverpool cannot be discounted they will need to take something from their next two games – home and away to Spartak – to be confident of progressing.
Group C
Holders Real Madrid enjoyed a stroll in the Benabeu against hapless Genk. The Belgian side clung on for 44 minutes before conceding the opener, after which the floodgates opened and Real emerged 6-0 winners.
A two-goal burst in the final minute of the first half ended the contest when first Guti and 30 seconds later Michel Salgado earned Vicennte dell Boosque’s side a two-goal cushion.
After the break, it was just a matter of how many Real would score. Josip Skoko’s lunge at Helguera 10 minutes after the break led to the third, Figo beating Moons from the penatly spot.
Guti added the fourth as the striker firing unerringly from outside the box. Raul set up the fifth for Celades for a sharp finish. Raul got the final goal himself, before crashing in from 20 yards to seal the win for the competition favourites
In the group’s other match Roma were unable to overcome a stubborn AEK defence and the Italian side had to settle for a point. Chances were few and far between as defences prevailed. The result keeps AEK a point ahead of Roma and Genk but with Real Madrid to face in their next two matches, the Greek side will be taking nothing for granted.
Group D
made up for last week’s defeat by thrashing Rosenborg 5-0, while a late Hernan Crespo strike gave Internazionale a 1-0 win over Ajax. The group is nicely poised after two games, with just one point separating the top three teams – with only Rosenborg lagging behind.
Midfielder Eric Carriere was at the heart of much of Lyon’s good work, setting the French Champions on their way with the opener on six minutes.
Lyon raced into a 4-0 half-time lead through further strikes from and this proved a perfect Tony Vairelles (two) and Sonny Anderson.
With the contest effectively over, Lyon eased up after the break but were still able to add a fifth, late on, through substitute Pegguy Luyindula.
Inter were thankful to a late strike from Hernan Crespo as they overcame Dutch champions Ajax 1-0. The result was in doubt until Crespo volleyed home a Matias Almeyda cross from close range as Ronald Koeman’s side took the game to Inter. But for some wayward finishing, Ajax could easily have emerged with all three points.
Francesco Toldo in the Inter goal pulled off a series of saves to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hatem Trabelsi, Tomas Galasek and Andy van der Meyde. Matias Almeyda
