CL: Saul Niguez Wonder Strike in Atletico 1-0 Win Over Bayern

EFT Report, Vicente Calderon: Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez scored arguably the goal of the season eleven minutes into the match gliding past four well-oiled Bayern defenders before curling the ball into the corner leaving the world best goal custodian Manuel Neuer high and dry, after that wonder of a strike Bayern never recovered. Diego Simeone’s Atletico defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 in their first leg Champions League semi-final encounter at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Atletico Beat Bayern 1-0 at Vincente Calderon 

Atletico Madrid started the match full of confidence as expected after despatching Barcelona in the previous round. Atletico could have sealed the match and gone 2-0 up in the 30th minute when Antoine Griezmann, the hero of Barcelona match, broke free of the German defence only for defender Javi Martinez to rattle the Frenchman as he shaped to shoot, Neuer pulling off a save at the near post. Pep Guardiola’s Bayern started without Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller, who together had scored more goals in the Champions League this season than Atletico.

The semi-final return-leg will be played at Allianz Arena, Munich on May 3. This first-leg match at Vicente Calderon is a stern warning to Pep Guardiola that a daunting task awaits his men at the Allianz Arena next week.

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CL: Madrid Held to a Goalless Draw by City at Etihad

EFT Report, Manchester: Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid and Manuel Pellegrini's City played out one of the most dullest Champions League semis of recent times at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, as Los Blancos were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester City in their first leg encounter. With no Cristiano Ronaldo, due to a thigh problem, in the starting eleven for the 10 time European Champions, Madrid clearly lacked the finishing touch. The Portuguese superstar have 16 Champions League goals to his credit this season.

Madrid Held to a Goalless Draw by City

The opening 45 minutes saw both sides struggle to create chances with City enjoying more of the possession. Benzema had the best opening in the final minute of the half, but the France international blazed his effort over Hart's goal. City playmaker David Silva limped off before the half after appearing to tweak a hamstring, he is likely to miss the return leg. Benzema, a pre-match doubt with a knee problem, was replaced at half-time by Jese. Sergio Aguero was a no-show with Ramos and Pepe not giving an inch to the Argentine through-out the 90 minute play. Casemiro and Pepe were both denied a late winner by Hart's heroics as it ended all squad at the Etihad.

The second leg of the Champions League semi-final takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, May 4 with everything to play for.

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CL: City on top with 3-1 thrashing of Sevilla; in knock-out stage

EFT Report: When they are on top of their game, floating through their attacking moves…Manchester City are indeed a beauty to the eyes...... Pellegrini’s Manchester City booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over La Liga side Sevilla, without a doubt their finest performance in Europe till date. Goals by Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfried Bony saw City men blow away Europa League holders Sevilla in a dazzling opening 45 minutes at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan.

City's Raheem Sterling

With Borussia Monchengladbach drawing with Juventus in the night's other Group D tie, City confirmed their progress into the Champions League’s last-16. City currently top Group D with 9 points followed by Juventus with 8 points.

In another Champions League match played at Old Trafford, Manchester United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 thanks to a Rooney’s header from close range.

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CL: Bruyne Late Strike in City 2-1 Win Over Seville; United Held 1-1 by CSKA Moscow

EFT Report: Kevin De Bruyne’s left foot repaid back some of the £54 million Manchester City paid in the summer for the young Belgian in the 2-1 hard fought but very unlikely win over La Liga side Seville in their Champions League encounter at Etihad. Yevhen Konoplyanka opened the scoring for the visiting Spanish team with a driven shot at the half-hour mark, seven minutes later Wilfried Bony's effort was deflected into his own net by Adil Rami to level the score 1-1. The match was heading for a deserving drawn match before Kevin De Bruyne’s strike in injury time helped Premier League leaders earned three full points. Manchester City lie second in Group D with six points after three games. City were without key players Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany.

Kevin De Bruyne

In another Champions League match, Louis van Gaal’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by CSKA Moscow at Khimki Arena. 

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Ozil, Giroud Goals Keep Arsenal’s Champions League Alive; Beat Bayern 2-0

EFT Report, London: Arsenal kept their Champions League hopes alive thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil in an end to end counter attacking game of football against German champions Bayern Munich at the Emirates. Despite having only 30 per cent possession of the ball, the Gunners frustrated Pep Guardiola's side, Petr Cech, who started tonight, was the star for the Premier League team with some incredible saves.

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud came off the bench in the 74th minute replacing Theo Walcott to score one his most scrappy goal of his footballing career from a set piece after Neuer made a mistake. Mesut Ozil added a second goal late in stoppage time after great work from defender Hector Bellerin. Arsenal still remains joint bottom of Group F, with 3 points, having lost both of their first two fixtures.

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Aguero shines as City beat Monchengladbach 2-1

EFT Report, London: Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero's last-minute penalty helped his side to clinch a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in their second match of the Champions League at Borussia-Park.

Midfielder Lars Stindl helped Monchengladbach to take the lead first by scoring a goal in the 54th minute of the game, the Mirror reported.

However, City defender Nicolas Otamendi smacked the equalizer in the 65th minute followed by Aguero's match winning goal which helped his side to claim their first win of the ongoing tournament.

City are currently at the third spot in Champions League table, having three points from the two games which they have played.

City will play their next match tomorrow against Sevilla, who suffered a 0-2 defeat against Juventus.

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Benfica beat Atletico Madrid 2-1; Real Madrid defeat Malmo 2-0

EFT Report, Madrid: Atletico Madrid's disappointing start to the season continued as they slipped to a 2-1 Champions league defeat at home to Benfica.

Atletico went into the game on Wednesday on the back of a 1-0 defeat in Villarreal and again were below their best on a disappointing night for fans in the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Xinhua reported.

Angel Correa gave Atletico the lead midway through the first half as the striker took advantage of his start following several impressive appearances as a substitute.

Correa scored put a right foot shot into the top corner following an assist from Antoine Griezmann.

Atletico were close to doubling their lead as Jackson Martinez hit the post, but Benfica were level before the break when Nocolas Gaitan fired a powerful left across Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 36th minute.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 500th and 501st goals of his career as Real Madrid defeated Malmo 2-0 in Sweden.

Ronaldo scored his goal in the 28th minute of the game but his side were unable to add more until the last minute of the game, despite rarely being in trouble and even less so after Malmo's, Victor Yotun was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.

Ronaldo netted his second of the night in the last minute: a goal which saw him equal Raul Gonzalez as his club's maximum goal-scorer of all time.

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CR7 Breaks Messi's Champions League Goal Record; Now Has a Record 16 Goals in a Single Season

EFT Report: Records are bound to tumble when this gifted Portuguese superstar is around, Cristiano Ronaldo has got one over Lionel Messi again to become the Champions League's highest goal-scorer with 16 goals in a single season after his 2 goals propelled Los Blancos to humiliate Bayern Munich 4-0 (5-0 in aggregate) at Allianz Arena.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The previous record was held Lionel Messi, who netted 14 goals for FC Barcelona during the 2011-12 season. Since his £80 million move from Manchester United in 2009, CR7 has scored a staggering 250 goals in 243 games for Real Madrid.

The 2013 Ballon d'Or' winner now has 51 goals in 50 games in Champions League. With the Champions League final to be played at his native Lisbon, expect CR7 to up his tally.

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Champions League Semis: Madrid to Face Bayern, Atletico v Chelsea

EFT Report: Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea FC have been pitted against La Liga leader Atletico Madrid while Real Madrid will play defending champion and 5-time winner Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals, the draw was announced today.

CL Semis: Madrid to Face Bayern, Atletico v Chelsea

Atletico will host the first leg against Chelsea at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. The first legs will be played on April 22 and 23, with the return matches on April 29 and 30.

The Champions League final takes place at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon on May 24.

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FC Basel Slays Chelsea 2-1 at Bridge; Messi’s Fourth Champions League Hat-trick in 4-0 Win Over Ajax

EFT Report: It was a bad opening Champions League night for Jose Mourinho as unfancied Swiss side FC Basel deservingly defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge ending the Blues’ impressive 13-match unbeaten run at home in European competition and along the way handing the ‘Special One’ his successive defeat. Oscar fired the hosts ahead in the 45th minute after a move that was started by Brazilian compatriot David Luiz but Basel equalized through Mohamed Salah’s curled left-foot shot in the 71 minute. As Chelsea pressed for all three points, gaps were left open; Basel took full advantage of the given space from a corner, Swiss international striker Marco Streller was allowed to muscle his way past Gary Cahill and Samuel Eto’o to glance home from close range in the 82 minute. Chelsea looked toothless in front of the goal, with Jose’s now preferred striker Samuel Eto still looking clue-less. This was Jose Mourinho’s second ever defeat at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile in Camp Nou, Lionel Messi once again took the centre stage as his fourth Champions League hat-trick helped FC Barcelona to a convincing 4-0 win over FC Ajax in their Group H opening match. Gerrad Pique netted the other goal for the Catalan’.

FC Basel Beat Chelsea 2-1 at Bridge

In other matches played, Arsene’s Gunners beat Marseille 2-1 with goals from Theo Walcott and in-form Aaron Ramsey. At Stadio San Paolo, new signing Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal for his new club Napoli as Rafa Benitez's new-look side defeated last season's Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund 2-1. AC Milan beat Celtic 2-0 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano while Simeone's Atletico Madrid overcame Zenit St Petersburg 3-1 at Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid.

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Raining Goals in Champions League!! Madrid Thrashes Galatasaray 6-1; Rooney's Brace in Man Utd 4-2 Win

EFT Report: The 2013-14 Champions League is back with a bang……Los Blancos’s quest for their elusive 10th European glory began with a commendable 6-1 thrashing of Galatasaray in Istanbul with Cristiano Ronaldo (who els!!!) scoring a hat-trick (his 21st for Real Madrid). The match in Istanbul was even-steven till the first 45 minute before CR7 and co ran riots in the second half. Gareth Bale started the night on the bench and played only for the final 26 minutes replacing another new signing Isco, who scored the opener. Karim Benzema reminded the Madrid’s faithful of his presence with a timely brace. The only thing that marred Madrid’s night was when veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas was taken-off in the 14 minute of the match after a thump in the ribs from team-mate Sergio Ramos. The home team got a consolation with Umut Bulut’s goal in the 84th minute. A perfect start to this season’s Champions League campaign for Los Blancos…....!! While in Old Trafford, David Moyes' first Champions League match as Manchester United boss started with a convincing 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen thanks to Wayne Rooney’s brace. Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia also found the net for the Red Devils. With his brace, Wayne Rooney now has scored 200 goals for the Reds in 406 appearances.

Real Madrid Thrashes Galatasaray 6-1

In other matches played, Pellegrini's Manchester City defeated Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen 3-0 with goals from Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero. Reigning champions Bayern Munich started their campaign on a perfect note with a 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow while Juventus were held 1-1 by Copenhagen.

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Ronaldo, Ribery, Messi Up for UEFA Best Player

EFT Report, Geneva: Last season treble winner with Bayern Munich, Frenchman Franck Ribery will now compete with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (arguably the two best players in the planet) for the coveted UEFA best player in Europe title for last season (2012/13). The award will be presented on August 29 at the Champions League group-stage draw in Monaco.

Ribery, Messi, Ronaldo

UEFA had narrowed down the candidates to three from an initial 10-man list, selected by journalists from UEFA members. Lionel Messi took home the inaugural award while his Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta won the award last year.

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Wembly Calling; Bayern v Borussia Champions League Final on May 25

EFT Report, London: Much have change after the last Champions League match was played, Jose Mourinho is no longer Madrid boss, Manchester City lost the FA Cup final to a relegated club (Wigan) and Mancini is out of a job now and yeah Justin Bieber is back with Selena Gomez…………..... Okay before the ball starts rolling in the Final, i am saddened to hear that Pep Guardiola’s first buy for his new German club the young exciting Mario Gotze will not be in action for Dortmund against Bayern with a hamstring injury, well… my point here being the 20-year-old might never get to play in the Champions League Final in his career ever again!! Club Football most coveted holy grail is up for grab when German rivals Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembly, London on May 25.

Wembly Stadium

Newly crowned Bundesliga champions and last year Champions League finalist, Bayern are the favorite to win this year, so confident they are that the Bavarians’ have already booked a hotel to throw a lavish celebration party, a Hotel with a buffet for 1,800 people and a bar extension till 5am (beat that all you party people out there). Jupp Heynckes’s men thrashed FC Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate to be in this season final while Dortmund defeated Real Madrid 4-3 on aggregate.

A brutal and a physical all Germans Final awaits all the BEAUTIFUL GAME lovers. GAME ON……... All Indian and Pakistan viewers can catch this mouth-watering game ‘LIVE’ at Ten Sports and Ten Action+. For online Live Streaming goto: http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/771511/borussia-dortmund-vs-bayern-m-nchen/

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Bayern Demolish Barca 3-0 at Camp Nou (Agg. 7-0); in Successive CL Final

EFT Report, Camp Nou: As expected, it will be an all German Champions League final, Bayern v Dortmund at Wembley come May 25 as the Bavarians demolished ......(well lets say put their finishing touches) a Messi-less FC Barcelona side 3-0 (aggregate 7-0) in their second leg semi-final played at Camp Nou on May 1, 2013.

Bayern Players After the Match

Going into the match beaming with confidence, the German side were never troubled through-out the entire match and with Messi sitting on the bench, the writing was clearly on the wall. Arjen Robben scored the first goal of the night in the 48th minute to make the aggregate scoreline go 5-0, then ‘Waka-Waka’ boy-toy Gerard Pique scored an own embarrassing own goal. Thomas Muller’s header made it 3-0 on the night (7-0 on aggregate) with 15 minutes left. 3-0 to Bayern Munich that’s how the match ended at Camp Nou….... After this match, one thing is for sure FC Barcelona needs tall world-class central-holding defenders (atleast two)…....

Robben After Scoring the Opener

This will be Bayern Munich third final in four years and after defeats to Inter Milan and Chelsea FC, the Bavarians will surely believe that this year is their to take. Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on May 25, a mouth-watering final awaits all the 'BEAUTIFUL GAME' lovers.

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Bayern Munich Beat Barcelona 3–0, Cruise to Final

EFT Report, Barcelona: Bayern Munich cruised into their third Champions League final in four years as a 3–0 win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou gave them an incredible 7–0 aggregate semi-final victory.

The absence of Lionel Messi from the Barca starting line-up almost eradicated any hope of an unlikely comeback before the game had even begun, but Bayern showed their 4–0 first-leg win last week had been no fluke with a display of controlled dominance.

Bayern Munich Beat Barcelona 3–0, Cruise to Final

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Madrid Out of CL Despite Beating Dortmund 2-0 (Agg. 4-3 to Dortmund)

EFT Report, Bernabeu: Los Blancos’ quest for their 10th European glory have to wait another season as they were eliminated from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund on goal aggregate (4-3), Madrid beat the German side 2-0 on the night in their semi-final second leg played at the Bernabeu on April 30 but their 4-1 defeat in the first leg was too much of a mountain to climb even for the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho. This was Madrid third successive Champions League semi-final lost under Mourinho.

Dortmund Players After the Match

The match at Bernabeu was one 'hell of an entertainer'; both teams squandered so many chances to score, one watching the match eventually lost count. Madrid did found the net finally through substitute Karim Benzema in the 83rd minute from close range through Ozil’s cross from the right, then Sergio Ramos thunderous kick in the 88th minute made it 2-0 to Madrid and suddenly set up the most frantic of finishes, but credits to Dortmund for hanging on. In a match where he had to shine, Cristiano Ronaldo had a poor game. Madrid won 2-0 on the night but Dortmund goes through to the final to be played at Wembley, their first final berth since 1997.

Ramos After Scoring

Well on a lighter note, Mario Balotelli’s girlfriend is safe as she won’t have to be servicing Madrid’s players……......former England international Gary Lineker’s quote summed up the match: ‘Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win’.

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Champions League: Madrid v Dortmund on Apr 30

EFT Report, Bernabeu: Jose Mourinho’s Madrid will once again take on Borussia Dortmund, the team that they just can’t beat this season (played thrice, lost twice, drawn once) in this crucial second leg Champions League semi-final match to be played at their home ground Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 30, 2013 not forgetting that they have to over-turn a 3-goal deficit if they want a spot in the final. Los Blancos’ were beaten fair and square 4-1 at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg.

Champions League: Madrid v Dortmund on Apr 30

From a Madrid’s fan point of view, scoring an early goal will be vital if they want to make a match out of this. Three goals in 90 minutes is very much possible but expect the Germans to score at Bernabeu too. Madrid are likely to play Alvaro Arbeloa (back after his suspension for the first leg), Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane in the defense and playmaker/winger Angel Di Maria, who missed the match in Germany due to the birth of his daughter, is also available to selection. CR7 has a slight thigh injury but he will surely start. Meanwhile for the Germans, Jurgen Klopp is expected to name the same team that won so impressively at Signal Iduna Park. Only one team has been knocked out of the Champions League after winning the first leg 4-1, Serie A side AC Milan, who were eliminated by Spanish side Deportivo in 2004, so history is very much on the Germans side.

Can Mourinho stage a remarkable comeback for Real Madrid??? A cracker of a match awaits all the BEAUTIFUL GAME lovers. All Indian and Pakistan viewers can catch this mouth-watering game ‘LIVE’ at Ten Sports and Ten Action+. For online Live Streaming goto: http://www.day.to/watch-live-online/m11/2/april-30-2013/uefa-champions-league-semifinal-leg-2-real-madrid-vs-borussia-dortmund.html

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Robert Lewandowski to Cost Man Utd £38 Million

EFT Report, London: The man of the moment in the footballing world right now, Dortmund Polish ace Robert Lewandowsk’s price just skyrocketed to £38 million. Newly crowned English champions Manchester United will have to shell out his asking price if they want his service next season.

Robert Lewandowsk

According to reports, the new Premier League champions are locked in a bitter tug-of-war with German giants Bayern Munich to sign the 24-year-old striker, whose four goals demolished Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. Manchester United are reportedly ready to shelled out a £28 million fee, £200,000-a-week wages in a 5 year contract deal for the in-demand Polish striker.

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Champions League: Lewandowski Scores 4; Dortmund Thrash Madrid 4-1

EFT Report, Dortmund: An all German Champions League final at Wembley looks inevitable unless there is a miracle in Spain next week as Poland international Robert Lewandowski’s four goals propelled German side Borussia Dortmund to a 4-1 thrashing over Jose Mourinho’s Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final played at Signal-Iduna-Park on April 25, 2013.

Lewandowski After Scoring His Fourth Goal

During the match, Dortmund won the midfield, the defensive battle and even had a better goalkeeper then Madrid. Blancos’s defense consisting of Sergio Ramos, Varane, Fabio Coentrao and even the ever-reliable Pepe had a nightmare of a match marking Dortmund players all through the night. Lewandowski opened his goal account in the 8th minute through a cross from Mario Gotze (who by the way got a hostile reception from some of the home fans since his move to arch rivals Bayern was announced). Madrid leveled things just 2 minutes before half–time, Dortmund players were appealing for a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Rafael Varane on forward Reus in the box.....not given, Madrid launched a counter-attack through Gonzalo Higuain after a miss-pass from Mats Hummels and square the ball perfectly for Ronaldo to put it in the empty net (this was CR7 50th Champions League goal). 1-1 going into half-time, then Robert Lewandowski’s storm hit Madrid and hit them hard it did ….... his three second-half goals coming in the space of just 17 minutes. His fourth being from the spot-kick after a clumsy shove from Xabi Alonso on Reus…... Lewandowski 4- Madrid-1 that’s how the match ended in the night.

It is a long-hard road back for Real Madrid from here, needing to win 3-0 in the return leg to progress on away goals. It is not impossible, but it is highly unlikely but anything is possible in this beautiful game. Madrid have now played Dortmund 3 times this season, losing twice, drawing once and the aggregate score between the clubs reads Borussia Dortmund 8 Real Madrid 4. The return leg will be played at Santiago Bernabeu on April 30, 2013 expect some drastic changes and hard-play from Madrid.

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Champions League: Lewandowski Hits 4 Goals as Dortmund Beat Real 4–1

EFT Report, Dortmund: Poland striker Robert Lewandowski netted all four goals in Borussia Dortmund's 4–1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, first-leg to strengthen the possibility of an all-German final at Wembley on May 25, 2013.

Lewandowski Hits 4 Goals as Dortmund Beat Real 4–1

After Bayern Munich's 4–0 hammering of Barcelona on Tuesday in the other semi-final, Borussia followed the German champions' example on April 24.

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