Madrid reach last eight
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Article summary
Real Madrid CF, one of four victors on Wednesday, are in the last eight of the competition.
Article body
Real Madrid CF have booked their UEFA Champions League quarter-final place, while there were also valuable wins for Arsenal FC, Panathinaikos FC and RC Deportivo La Coruña on an action-packed Wednesday evening.
Wasted chances
Goals from Santiago Solari and Iván Helguera gave Madrid, who had to win to reach the last eight, a two-goal lead after 20 minutes in their Group C match against FC Porto at the Das Antas stadium. Capucho's close-range finish, Porto's 300th goal in European competition, was no more than a consolation but it could have proved more as the hosts wasted several glorious chances to earn a share of the spoils.
French connection
Arsenal's tremendous home form continued as they eased to a 4-1 Group D victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Highbury. The match began in explosive fashion, with French international Robert Pires opening the scoring with Arsenal's first attack of the game after five minutes. Thierry Henry rounded off a flowing move to double the hosts' advantage two minutes later. A far-post header from Patrick Vieira and a sublime Dennis Bergkamp chip completed what proved to be a routine victory, as Zoltán Sebescen struck a consolation for Leverkusen in the dying minutes.
Davids off
Juventus FC now have a mountain to climb in Group D after losing 2-0 against Deportivo at the Riazor stadium. Diego Tristán put the hosts ahead with a well-placed header on eight minutes, before substitute Djalminha secured the win with 13 minutes remaining. Edgar Davids, a second-half substitute, was sent off for arguing with the referee after his initial caution to complete the Italian side's misery.
Konstantinou double
Two goals from Cypriot international Michael Konstantinou saw Panathinaikos beat AC Sparta Praha 2-1 in Athens. Konstantinou scored after 15 and 47 minutes to put the Greek club well in control of the Group C match. A 90th-minute header from Martin Klein ensured an edgy last few moments but Panathinaikos hung on to complete the double over Sparta, following last week's victory in Prague.
