Theo Walcott to miss UEFA Champions League tie vs Montpellier

By Ashley Williams

LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the Arsenal FC’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Montpellier on home soil on Wednesday as the winger is yet to recover from a shoulder problem.

Theo Walcott, who also represents England as striker, is an integral part of the Arsenal FC but he sustained the injury during this weekend’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. Walcott had carried on during the match despite of the injury and scored the fifth and final goal for The Gunners in the stoppage time.

Arsenal FC are due to host Montpellier at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and manager Arsene Wenger said that Theo Walcott has not trained with the team but will have a scan to determine the damage caused by the injury to the striker.

Gervinho has been put on standby to replace the injured Walcott if he failed to make it.

Talking to media here in the pre-match press conference, Arsene Wenger said, “The injury he got during the game with his shoulder, we have to scan that today and see if there is no damage. He will be out for tomorrow. It should be short-term. We will miss [Andre] Santos as well, who has a muscle strain in his abdomen. The two players coming in the squad are Gervinho and [Kieran] Gibbs."

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Manchester United enter UEFA Champions League last-16 stage

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 8, 2012: Manchester United became the first British side through to this season's UEFA Champions League knockout stage after coming from behind to beat rivals Braga 3-1, the official FIFA website reported.

Needing just a point to assure their qualification to the last 16, United fell behind to a penalty from Alan just after half-time, but strikes from Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez ensured the Red Devils maintained their perfect record in this year's competition.

United lead the group on 12 points after four matches, while defeat for Braga leaves them bottom on three points, one behind both Galatasaray and Cluj following the Turkish champions 3-1 win in Romania.

"I think we were all disappointed (we didn't progress from the group stage last year)," said Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs. "It was not good enough and we knew we had to do something about it and we have. Long may it continue."

Alex Ferguson elected to make six changes to the side that defeated Arsenal at the weekend, with Chris Smalling making his first start of the campaign after recovering from a metatarsal injury suffered during pre-season, while Robin van Persie was only named among the substitutes.

Jonny Evans was one of five holdovers from Saturday's victory over the Gunners, but his misjudgement of Douglao's over-hit pass allowed Eder an early chance, the striker sneaking in behind the defence only to see his low effort flash across the face of goal.

More hesitant defending, this time from Smalling, then enabled Ruben Micael to run at United's backline and fire just wide from the edge of the box. With the English giants very much on the back foot, Braga were unfortunate not to take the lead midway through the first half as Eder's diving header cannoned back off the foot of the post.

Alan, who scored twice against United in a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, then forced a smart low save from David de Gea. However, United's resistance was broken four minutes after half-time as Braga were awarded a penalty after Evans blocked off Custodio just inside the box.

Alan stepped up and duly converted for his fourth goal of the group phase. But the game was interrupted only a few minutes later as a generator broke down, leaving the stadium shrouded in darkness and the players ordered back to the changing rooms.

With power restored roughly ten minutes later, play resumed and only a sprawling save from De Gea kept out Nuno Andre Coelho's free-kick.

Braga, winners of their past four ties against English opposition on home soil without conceding a goal in that time, had been relatively untroubled for most of the evening but the introduction of Van Persie for Danny Welbeck proved to be a tactical masterstroke by Ferguson.

The Dutchman capitalised on a rash decision from Beto as he rushed off his line only to be left stranded as Van Persie clipped the ball over the Braga goalkeeper to draw United level with ten minutes remaining.

The visitors then went ahead after Rooney slotted home from the spot after the England striker was felled by Coelho. A late third from Hernandez completed United's turnaround, extending their unbeaten run in Portugal to five matches, leaving Braga to rue their late collapse.

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UEFA Champions League: Valencia hammer BATE 4-2 to stay top

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 8, 2012: Valencia completed the double in UEFA Champions League Group F with a 4-2 win over Belarus outfit BATE Borisov to stay level on points with pacesetters Bayern Munich, who crushed Lille 6-1, the official FIFA website reported.

BATE had made a bright start to the campaign, stunning group favourites Bayern on their way to winning their opening two fixtures. But they then came unstuck at home to Valencia and the Spaniards once again outfoxed them, taking the lead in the 26th minute at the Mestalla Stadium.

Brazilian striker Jonas Goncalves broke the deadlock, firing home on a turn high into the net after controlling a cross from a Tino Costa. Almost straight from the restart, it was 2-0, Roberto Soldado - who scored a hat-trick in the away match - converting from the spot after Denis Polyakov fouled Andres Guardado as the latter burst into the box.

Coach Mauricio Pellegrino has been struggling to conjure coherent league form from his Valencia side this season - they sit mid-table with only four wins from ten games - but this success, following their win in Belarus, should propel them towards the last 16 in Europe.

Former Barcelona midfielder Aleksandr Hleb tried gamely to spark a riposte, but was unable to call on support from the suspended Alexander Pavlov as Valencia tightened their grip on proceedings.

Vitali Rodionov had an early effort wide for Viktor Goncharenko's BATE, but the two goals took the wind out of the visitors' sails as Valencia, finalists in 2000 and 2001, made it 3-0 six minutes after the restart.

Algerian Sofiane Feghouli slammed home after Fernando Gago cut through a tiring defence to find his teammate unmarked. BATE did knuckle down to make a game of it as Renan Bressan converted for 3-1 just two minutes after Feghouli's effort.

And suddenly the Spaniards were sweating when Dmitri Mozolevski, on for Hleb, made it 3-2 in the 83rd minute with a tap-in from Rodianov's pass as Valencia looked to be counting down the clock and cruising.

However, the hosts quickly snapped out of their complacency as Feghouli bagged his second goal of the night with four minutes remaining, cracking home a fierce drive after substitute Ever Banega had found him.

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UEFA Champions League: Yilmaz hits hat-trick as Galatasaray stay alive

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 8, 2012: Burak Yilmaz grabbed a hat-trick as Galatasaray kept their hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stages alive with a fine 3-1 win at CFR Cluj, the official FIFA website reported.

The Turkish side went into the game without a win in the competition so far and knowing only victory would realistically be enough to give them hope of going through behind group winners Manchester United.

And the visitors were immediately on the offensive with Emre Colak coming close in the sixth minute with a shot from 12 yards which flashed just wide of the Romanian goal.

Yilmaz opened his account in the 18th minute when Selcuk Inan played a lofted through ball and the striker connected to head the opener into the top corner of the net.

Luis Alberto had the first real chance for Cluj in the 23rd minute when he brought a save out of Galatasaray keeper Fernando Muslera, then Modou Sougou shot wide as the home side threatened.

Cluj came close again at the start of the second half as Sasa Bjelanovic flashed a header just wide, before Sougou grabbed the equaliser in the 53rd minute after finishing off a pass from Rafael Bastos.

Bastos shot over as Cluj pressed for a second, but against the run of play it was Galatasaray who went back in front when Yilmaz netted his second from close range after a cross from Hamit Altintop was allowed to run all the way across the area by the home defence.

Mario Felguiras had to be alert to prevent Yilmaz netting his third in the 70th minute, but four minutes later it came as the striker slid the ball home from a tight angle to complete his hat-trick.

Bjelanovic came close again for Cluj in the dying seconds, but Galatasaray coasted home for a victory which gives them renewed hope of muscling in on the knockout stages.

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UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich pound Lille with 6-0 rout

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 8, 2012: Bayern Munich surged to the top of UEFA Champions League Group F with a hammering of pointless Lille. Claudio Pizarro completed his hat-trick in the 33rd minute, by which point Bayern led 5-0 with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben both striking from free-kicks, the official FIFA website reported.

Salomon Kalou pulled one back from long range but substitute Toni Kroos was quick to add his name to the list of scorers as Bayern moved to nine points ahead of their second meeting with fellow pace-setters Valencia.

"Right from the start, we put in a very good performance. It has been a long time since I have scored three goals, so I am very happy," said Pizarro.

"They scored with almost every attempt on goal," said Lille captain Rio Mavuba. "We're now out of the competition and it hurts. We fought last year to be here and to produce a performance that is not worthy of the club is really disappointing."

Lille's Franck Beria fired over before Bastian Schweinsteiger opened the floodgates inside five minutes, finding the bottom corner with a free-kick after being fouled by Florent Balmont. Nolan Roux nodded over and Salomon Kalou's header was saved by Manuel Neuer as Lille sought a quick response.

But Pizarro made it 2-0 in the 18th minute when he fired home Franck Ribery's pass from outside the box. Another free-kick brought Bayern's third goal, Schweinsteiger fouled once again and Arjen Robben this time stepping up to extend the lead.

Roux threatened twice before his side fell still further behind, Pizarro sweeping home Philipp Lahm's right-wing cross. And the Peruvian international was on the scoresheet again five minutes later, heading home another Lahm delivery to complete his treble.

Neuer saved from Roux and Balmont before Robben threatened a sixth goal at the other end, but his lob was parried away by Mickael Landreau. Marko Basa blocked Ribery's drive and Dante repelled Payet's curler as half-time arrived with no addition to the already extravagant scoreline.

After a quiet opening to the second period, Lille pulled a goal back out of the blue when Kalou let fly from 30 yards and found the top corner of Neuer's net. Jerome Boateng's block denied Roux a second and Bayern quickly extended their lead as Kroos, who had only been introduced on the hour mark, scored in the 66th minute from Lahm's cut-back.

Bayern were not finished and Basa blocked Robben's angled drive before Landreau saved from Xherdan Shaqiri. Landreau produced a double-save to keep out Anatoliy Tymoschuk's long-range drive and Robben's follow-up before Kroos twice went close in a stoppage-time period that also saw Dante block the busy Roux's drive.

Bayern's 2-0 win over Valencia in September means Bayern top the group ahead of their rematch in two weeks' time.

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Moses saves the day for Chelsea in UEFA Champions League

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 8, 2012: Victor Moses came off the bench to score an incredible last-gasp winner tonight as Chelsea somehow survived a Shakhtar Donetsk onslaught to keep their UEFA Champions League fate in their own hands, the official FIFA website reported.

The Blues were in danger of being the first holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas as former target Willian twice cancelled out almighty howlers from goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov which gifted goals to Fernando Torres and Oscar, the latter's fourth in as many Champions League games. But late substitute Moses nodded home Mata's 94th minute corner to steal a barely-believable victory that put Chelsea level on points with their opponents at the top of Group E with two games remaining.

"We've got a crucial three points. It was crucial for us to win this tough home game," Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo told Sky Sports. "They are a very good side. Now it's probably going to go down to the last kick of the last game in this group. The spirit that my group showed again to keep going to the end - we knew we had to score at the end, and we did so."

Di Matteo refused to shy away from the importance of tonight's game from the moment the final whistle went in the reverse fixture - which Chelsea lost two weeks ago - branding it must-win. As if to drive home the point to his players, the following fortnight saw him dub the match Chelsea's biggest since the May's final and claim his side needed to produce a "perfect" performance to succeed.

That made his decision to leave John Terry on the bench - albeit for match-fitness reasons - a massive gamble, with the holders having shipped ten goals in the four games their captain had missed during his domestic ban. The Blues were also without Ashley Cole against a team who had not lost for almost 12 months and had won an astonishing 19 of their 20 matches this term.

That included the reverse fixture, in which Shakhtar never looked back after racing into an early lead. But they saw the tables turned tonight thanks to Pyatov, whose attempted clearance from Yaroslav Rakitskiy's backpass was closed down by Torres and careered into the net.

The visitors should have equalised when Luiz Adriano produced an airshot but they were level in the ninth minute when Willian fired home Fernandinho's cutback after a crucial slip by Ryan Bertrand. Cole's understudy, playing his biggest match since the Champions League final, was having an absolute nightmare, making a succession of basic errors that threatened to cost Chelsea.

Petr Cech prevented him diverting a corner into his own net before making an acrobatic save from Fernandinho's long-ranger. At least Torres was looking more interested than he had in the defeat in Donetsk. He twice went close to nodding in brilliant Branislav Ivanovic crosses but, otherwise, Shakhtar were in complete control, popping the ball about as if they were the home side.

A breathtaking one-touch move almost saw them take the lead in the 32nd minute when Alex Teixeira shaved the post from 18 yards. Chelsea fans began calling for Terry but they were soon celebrating their side going ahead completely against the run of play thanks to the madness of Pyatov and genius of Oscar.

Pyatov came charging out to head Juan Mata's harmless 40th-minute cross clear but the ball fell straight to Oscar, who produced a sublime 40-yard half-volley that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net. Eden Hazard also forced a good fingertip save from the beleaguered stopper before a frenetic half was out.

Stung by the injustice of being behind, Shakhtar took less than two minutes to equalise again after the restart with another stunning move, Fernandinho's defence-splitting pass and Darijo Srna's cross allowing Willian to stroke home.

Cech got away with a Pyatov-like clearance and Razvan Rat's first-time half-volley clattered the post from 25 yards out before Torres wasted a great chance to turn in Hazard's free-kick after Teixeira was booked for tripping the Belgian. Pyatov almost gifted Oscar another clearance and Tomas Hubschman brought down Torres for a free-kick which John Obi Mikel powered home from Mata's cross. But the midfielder was rightly denied his first goal for five years by an offside flag.

Chelsea, who were now on top, had genuine cause for complaint 16 minutes from time when a flying Ramires was convinced he had been bundled over in the box by Srna but referee Carlos Velasco Carballo was unmoved. Teixeira was replaced by Ilsinho before Oscar was denied by a desperate Rat tackle and Mikel volleyed Pyatov's punch narrowly wide.

Moses came on for Oscar and Willian cleared Gary Cahill's dangerous header as Chelsea poured forward but they were almost caught out on the break, leading Luiz was booking late on and nearly a winner for Henrik Mkhitaryan. But in the 94th minute, Chelsea won a corner which an unmarked Moses nodded in seconds before the final whistle.

"We dominated the match and had lots of opportunities to score, and I think we were better than Chelsea," said Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu. "It was a pity that in the last minutes we went forward to score the third goal, because we left some spaces behind and we made a big mistake."

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FC Porto enter knockout stage of UEFA Champions League

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Porto lost their 100 per cent record, but they booked their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League after a goalless Group A draw against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, FIFA’s official website reported.

Porto's point takes them to ten points in the section and guarantees their progress after a game of few clear-cut chances which leaves the hosts with little chance of progressing.

Porto's confidence was not too evident in the cagey opening exchanges, with Kiev pressing forward and forcing a free-kick within the first minute which was comfortably cleared by Nicolas Otamendi.

Porto had their first chance in the ninth minute when Yevhen Khacheridi's foul on James Rodriguez led to a Joao Moutinho free-kick which was headed on by Abdoulaye Ba and blocked in the box.

In a first half of few clear-cut chances, Porto almost grabbed the lead in the 35th minute when Maksym Koval tipped a Jackson Martinez header round the post after a pin-point cross by Rodriguez.

Taye Taiwo fired wide for the hosts two minutes later, but Porto were beginning to look more dangerous and Koval was forced into action again in the 38th minute when he saved a volley from Danilo.

Silvestre Varela had the first chance of the second half for Porto with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area in the 50th minute, which flashed wide of Koval's goal.

Porto keeper Helton was then forced into action as he saved a shot from Andriy Yarmolenko, and as the game belatedly sprang into life, Koval caught an effort from Danilo at the other end.

Koval then denied Rodriguez and from the resulting counter-attack Artem Milevskiy hit a shot from 18 yards which was well saved by Helton.

Ognjen Vukojevic fired over from long-range for the hosts, then a free-kick from the dangerous Moutinho flashed wide and moments later a Rodriguez shot in the box was blocked by Taiwo.

Brown Ideye should have done better with a 72nd minute header which sailed over Da Silva's bar, and Porto's Lucho Gonzalez was not far away with a 25-yard drive which tested Koval at the other end.

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UEFA Champions League: Pato helps Milan stay in the hunt

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Alexandre Pato denied Malaga the chance to seal progression to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the San Siro tonight, as the Brazilian striker kept i Rossoneri within touching distance of qualification, FIFA’s official website reported.

Malaga's perfect debut season on Europe's biggest stage looked set to continue unchecked as Eliseu's first-half goal put the Spaniards on the verge of wrapping up top spot in Group C. But Pato capitalised on fine work from Kevin Constant to register his first Milan goal since December last year - spoiling Malaga's clean sheet in the competition - to book second place ahead of Anderlecht, who are one point behind the Serie A giants.

Milan suffered an early setback as Ignazio Abate pulled up injured after just six minutes, young full-back Mattia De Sciglio his replacement. Both sides prodded and poked in the early exchanges, Eliseu failing to properly work Milan keeper Christian Abbiati with a tame shot, before Constant tested Willy Caballero at the other end.

But Milan soon turned up the heat, Bojan Krkic thundering into the box to force a fine save from Caballero and Stephan El Shaarawy seeing his dangerous effort deflected behind. Urby Emanuelson had Caballero at full stretch with a wickedly swerving free-kick after Martin Demichelis' foul on Pato, as Massimiliano Allegri's men exerted their authority.

Indeed, box-to-box man Riccardo Montolivo confidently defused Malaga's intricate build-up play, but Nigel De Jong's less-cultured approach in the 33rd minute earned him the first booking of the evening.

I Rossoneri would pay dearly for a rare moment of ill-discipline, with Isco ensuring the Spanish side made the most of it. The 20-year-old midfielder weaved through the home side's backline to supply a perfectly-weighted ball for Eliseu, the Portuguese swerving Constant's challenge to beat Abbiati with his right foot.

Milan had been caught cold and Emanuelson's wayward drive over the crossbar was certainly not the clinical response the Italians required before the break. The Dutchman did warm Caballero's palms with a more accurate strike as play resumed, courtesy of Bojan's cool pass, but El Shaarawy's shot on the turn left much to be desired.

Nerves were frayed on both sides, though, and Emanuelson almost capitalised on a moment of confusion between Caballero and Demichelis. Kevin-Prince Boateng emerged for the unusually ineffective El Shaarawy shortly after the hour mark, and the ex-Tottenham man introduced himself with an ambitious shot from distance.

Malaga substitute Roque Santa Cruz's first contribution was more impressive, Abbiati tested with a daisycutter, before the Milanese faithful finally were given an equaliser. In the 73rd minute, Pato wriggled free in the box to meet Constant's left-wing cross and head home his first goal of the season.

Boateng lacked the precision to put Milan ahead moments later, but still the hosts poured forward, and it needed a firm block from Demichelis to deny Montolivo the killer blow.

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UEFA Champions League: Ozil rescues Real Madird at home

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Mesut Ozil saved Madrid with a brilliant late free-kick to earn a UEFA Champions League point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, FIFA’s official website reported.

Borussia were ahead until the 89th minutes thanks to a Marco Reus strike and an Alvaro Arbeloa own-goal in the first period. Pepe had earlier levelled for the home side.

The result means, with two games remaining, the Germans still lead Group D with 8 points, one more than Madrid, with Ajax three points behind after a 2-2 draw away at Manchester City. It could have been worse for Madrid as it seemed for long periods the Germans would repeat the 2-1 result from the first game between the sides a fortnight ago in Dortmund.

"In the first-half we were not good and our crowd told us so, but we were better in the second," said Real coach Jose Mourinho. "I am not unhappy with the draw, but yes with not winning when we scored 3 goals, because (Jose) Callejon should have had a goal allowed."

Borussia's coach Jurgen Klopp was happy with the result. "We are still top so a draw was a good result for us." he said. "If we had won I think we would have deserved it, I'm proud of our performance but a little sad as we were so close to direct qualification."

For Madrid, Luka Modric was chosen to partner Xabi Alonso in the centre of midfield with Raphael Varane again called upon into the centre of defence to allow Sergio Ramos to cover at right-back.

Borussia captain Sebastian Kehl was able to play with a protective mask, despite picking up a facial injury on Saturday against Stuttgart.

The German keeper Roman Weidenfaller had to be quick of his line on two minutes to deny Higuain after Angel Di Maria had played a long through ball. However, backed by around 10,000 noisy travelling fans, the Germans settled quickly into the game.

First Lewandowski burst down the left on four minutes and fired over a dangerous cross that had to be expertly dealt with by Madrid's defence Then, on ten minutes, Iker Casillas was quick to stop a Marcel Schmelzer effort with his feet and Lewandowski fired over the rebound. Next it was Kevin Grosskreutz's turn to test Casillas after a quick counter-attack and mazy run down the left from Gotze.

Cristiano Ronaldo should have done better when heading wide an Higuain cross from a good position on 22 minutes, but it was a sign of life from the home team and it lifted their support.

Both sides were now jostling for control of midfield and the opening goal, that eventually fell to the Germans on 28 minutes. Right-back Lukasz Piszczek was deep in his own half when he played a searching ball that Lewandowski headed into the path of Reus, who powerfully volleyed home with his first touch.

The Germans seemed momentarily on top and comfortable until Pepe powered home a Mesut Ozil cross with his head on 34 minutes.

Borussia regained the lead right at the death of an exciting half. Lewandowski was again prominent, heading a long ball from Weidenfeller into the path of Grosskreutz, who burst into the area and laid on a pass for Gotze, who bundled the ball past Casillas. A desperate lunge from Madrid defender Arbeloa provided the decisive touch, but it was a well-worked goal from the Germans.

Jose Mourinho looked for a reaction from his side, making two changes at the interval by bringing on Jose Callejon and Michael Essien to replace Modric and Gonzalo Higuain.

Immediately, Callejon had the ball in the net, but was ruled to be marginally offside before the same player shot just wide on the turn. Callejon again was denied with a block by Weidenfeller on 60 minutes, but as the half went on, the Germans became increasingly comfortable as Madrid's goal opportunities became rare.

Mourinho's last throw of the dice was to introduce Kaka with 13 minutes remaining, and he quickly instigated a move that Ronaldo should have finished. Callejon had a weak shot cleared off the line by Grosskreutz before Ozil's late escape act, a curling a free-kick over the wall and just inside a post, saved Madrid at the last.

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UEFA Champions League: Olympiacos resurrect hopes

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Olympiacos put themselves right back in the hunt for a spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a second successive victory over Montpellier, FIFA’s official website reported.

After earning a stoppage-time win in France a fortnight ago, Olympiacos again left it late before snatching victory tonight with two goals in the last ten minutes from Leandro Greco and Kostas Mitroglou. Those strikes came after Younes Belhanda's second-half penalty for Montpelier had cancelled out Paulo Machado's early opener for the the Greek side.

Olympiacos had lost their opening two matches in Group B but tonight's result lifts them onto six points, two points behind leaders Schalke and one adrift of second-placed Arsenal. Montpellier, meanwhile, remain on one point and are out of contention for a top-two berth.

Olympiacos had fallen behind in each of their opening three games in Group B but needed just four minutes to take the lead tonight when Machado slotted into an empty net after Mitroglou's close-range effort had rebounded back off the post.

Leonardo Jardim's side almost doubled their lead in the tenth minute but visiting goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren did well to deny Mitroglou. That was a big let-off for Montpellier but they soon started to settle and Souleymane Camara had two chances to draw the visitors level, heading the first just over the crossbar before also failing to hit the target with an ambitious effort.

Montpellier could not get back on terms before the break but they came close again in the second half when substitute Jonathan Tinhan, just moments after replacing Anthony Mounier in the 62nd minute, fired in an effort that was saved by the feet of Roy Carroll. He was called into action again seconds later after Joris Marveaux was found unmarked in the area, but fortunately for the Northern Irish veteran the midfielder's header was straight at him.

An equaliser looked on the cards though, and it duly arrived in the 65th minute when the French side won a penalty. Dimitrios Siovas pushed Camara in the area to concede the spot-kick and Belhanda made no mistake from 12 yards.

For a while that looked set to earn Montpellier a point, but Olympiacos had other ideas and claimed the victory following a late flourish. Djamel Abdoun saw a long-range effort turned round the post by Jourdren in the 77th minute, but three minutes later Greco found the back of the net following a corner.

Two minutes after that the game was sealed when Mitroglou slotted in Jose Holebas' cross to make it 3-1.

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UEFA Champions League: Ibrahimovic scripts classy win for PSG

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a hand in all four goals as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed UEFA Champions League whipping boys Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 tonight, FIFA’s official website reported.

The home side bounced back in perfect style from their first domestic defeat of the season at the weekend with a convincing win in the French capital.

Ibrahimovic had been sent off in the 2-1 home defeat to St Etienne, but thankfully for Carlo Ancelotti's side the Swedish international remained eligible for European competition and was a highly influential figure despite not getting on the scoresheet.

The home side had the first chance with just 75 seconds on the clock when Maxwell's free-kick was headed wide by Ezequiel Lavezzi from just six yards out. At the other end, Josip Pivaric shot wide from 12 yards but clear chances were few and far between until PSG took the lead after 16 minutes when Ibrahimovic produced a perfect cross from the right for Alex to turn the ball home from 12 yards.

Adrien Rabiot then fired wide from a similar range as PSG went in search of a second goal, which they came close to securing nine minutes from the interval. A corner from Jeremy Menez was not fully cleared and when the ball fell to Thiago Silva, his close-range goalbound header was brilliantly blocked by Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Kelava.

The visitors attempted to get back on level terms after the break through a header from Ante Rukavina that sailed harmlessly over the bar, but the game was effectively over as a contest on the hour mark.

Ibrahimovic was again the provider with a pass from the left that Blaise Matuidi slotted into the back of the net, a move which was repeated five minutes later for Menez to this time benefit from his Swedish team-mate's supply to make it 3-0.

Yet another Ibrahimovic assist saw Guillaume Hoarau complete the rout 20 minutes from time as PSG moved onto nine points, one behind Group a leaders Porto who were held 0-0 at Dynamo Kiev. 

Dinamo Zagreb continue to prop up the standings with no goals and no points from four games.

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UEFA Champions League: Schalke 04 hold Arsenal for 2-2 draw

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LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Schalke 04 came back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in Gelsenkirchen today to leave Die Königsblauen top of UEFA Champions League Group B, FIFA’s official website reported.

Having lost 2-0 to Schalke at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, Arsenal shot into an early lead as England's Theo Walcott and France's Olivier Giroud netted to leave the hosts stunned at the sold-out Veltins Arena.

But Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar pulled one back for Schalke on the stroke of half-time, then Peru forward Jefferson Farfan netted the equaliser midway through the second half to claim a point. Schalke had their chances to win the game, with 20 shots on goal compared to Arsenal's eight, and the lion's share of possession.

The draw leaves Schalke top of the table with eight points while Arsenal are just a point behind in second, with Olympiakos third on six points after their 3-1 win over bottom Montpellier, leaving all still to play for in the group.

Schalke had two clear early chances with Dutch winger Ibrahim Affelay forcing Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone into an early save, then Austria defender Christian Fuchs wasting a good chance with a poor shot. But Arsenal brushed off their Premier League defeat at Manchester United on Saturday to take the game by the scruff of the neck with two goals inside the first half an hour.

First, Giroud broke free of the defence, but when Schalke captain Benedikt Hoewedes managed to stop him with a good tackle, Walcott was on hand to follow up and tap home a simple goal on 18 minutes. The Gunners then kept piling on the pressure and when Giroud's pass found Lukas Podolski on the left wing, the Germany star fired in a great cross which the Frenchman gratefully headed home on 26 minutes.

Schalke picked the perfect time to pull a goal back with their last chance of the half in the second minute of added time. After Giroud lost the ball in midfield, Jermaine Jones threaded a pass to Netherlands international Huntelaar to fire across Mannone and into the bottom far corner.

Huntelaar then wasted a great chance to claim a second five minutes into the second-half when he escaped the defence, but could only fire straight at Mannone. However Schalke finally drew level when Holtby's pass found Farfan in space down the right wing and Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen could only watch as the ball ricocheted off him and into the Gunners' net on 67 minutes.

The Gunners had two great chances to win it when Walcott first beat Unnerstall but hit the post with 15 minutes left, then fired straight at the goalkeeper with virtually the last shot of the game. In the next round of matches, Schalke host Olympiacos on 21 November, while Arsenal are home to Montpellier the same night.

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UCL 2012: Borussia Dortmund stun Real Madrid 2-1

By Meg Anderson

Marcel Schmelzer seals the deal for Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

DORTMUND, Germany (TheSportsEncounter) October 25, 2012: German Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund scampered to top of Group D with a 2-1 victory over Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League encounter at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday.

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The victory was set up by a second-half goal by Marcel Schmelzer after Robert Lewandowksi put the home team into advantage in 36^thminute.

Cristiano Ronaldo fails to lead
Real Madrid to win in Germany

The initial advantage could last for only two minutes as Real Madrid skipper Cristiano Ronaldo took no time in lobbing in his fifth goal in the UEFA Champions League 2012.

Borussia Dortmund came with an aggressive plan in the second half and at the same time they also put a lid on the star striker. Their tactics paid dividends midway through the second half when Marcel Schmelzer received a weak punch by Iker Casillas to convert it into a famous goal for the German champions.

Real Madrid CF don’t boast an impressive record playing in Germany as they have only won once in 24 encounters and tonight they faced very much the same destiny with Mesut Ozil failing to get the maximum of a great opening made by Cristiano Ronaldo in sixth minute of the match.

Real Madrid CF did get several goal-scoring chances but Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo both were off target on most of the occasions which resulted in a goal drought for the Spanish soccer giants.

Just at the stroke of 90^th minute, Real Madrid got another chance but Michael Essien headed it wide from a narrow angle to sum up a disappointing night for the Spanish team.

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