Barcelona and Bayern battle back

FC Barcelona were 3-1 victors away at Liverpool FC and FC Bayern München were held by Manchester United FC on the first night of action in the UEFA Champions League second group stage.

Kluivert opener
Barcelona's success came despite falling behind in the 27th minute to an excellent finish from Liverpool’s England striker Michael Owen. Goals from Patrick Kluivert, Fabio Rochemback and Marc Overmars earned the Catalan club all three points in Tuesday's Group B meeting on Merseyside.

Overmars gets third
Barcelona’s first came from Kluivert four minutes before half-time after a neat passing move between Rivaldo and Marc Overmars. Then, in the 65th minute, Brazilian midfield player Rochemback curled the ball from long range just inside Jerzy Dudek’s left-hand post. Former Arsenal FC player Overmars capped a happy return to England with the third six minutes from time.

Bayern draw
Holders FC Bayern München earned a 1-1 draw against old foes Manchester United FC in Group A thanks to Paulo Sergio’s goal three minutes from time. Ruud van Nistelrooij had looked like being the hero for the English club, who beat Bayern in the 1999 final, when he nipped in front of Oliver Kahn to volley home a Mikael Silvestre cross in the 73rd minute.

Valuable victory
There was also late drama in Istanbul where Galatasaray SK were denied by a last-gasp goal from AS Roma's Emerson da Rosa in a 1-1 draw. The Turkish club took the lead in the 22nd minute through Sébastien Pérez but were unable to keep the Italian champions at bay. Brazilian midfielder Emerson capitalised on a mistake by Faryd Mondragon and scored with an overhead kick in injury time to tie the Group B encounter.

Landreau deceived
In the night's other game, Boavista FC won 1-0 at home to FC Nantes Atlantique thanks to captain Erwin Sánchez’s long-range effort. Nantes keeper Mickaël Landreau was deceived by the spin on the shot and was helpless as the ball travelled over the line. The triumph means the Portuguese champions are the early leaders in Group A, after the draw between Bayern and United.