SOCCER - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2005/06
Group G - Chelsea (0) @ (1) Real Betis - Chelsea finally lost a game after 6 months unbeaten in all competitions when Dani scored after 28 minutes (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Tyldesley/Beglin, PAL)
Group H - Inter Milan (1) @ (1) Rangers - Rangers finally achieved qualification for the knock-out round of the European cup with a gutsy draw at home. Adriano had put Inter ahead but minutes later Peter Lovenkrands levelled the game and Rangers hung on until the end (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Drury/Pleat, PAL)
Last 16, 1st Leg - Arsenal (1) @ (0) Real Madrid - Arsenal went into the game with a bad away record and, with Real Madrid unbeaten in their last 6 games, things did not look good for the Arsenal. But it was the Gunners who made all the running and finally took the lead at the start of the 2nd half with a well taken Thierry Henry goal (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Drury/Pleat, PAL)
Quarter Final, 1st Leg - Juventus (0) @ (2) Arsenal - Goals from Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry cap a dominating performance from Arsenal. Highbury welcomed the return of Patrick Vieira but he was overshadowed by the lively Fabregas. Juventus finished the game with 9 men as Zebina and Camoranesi were sent off (9, 2 Discs, ITV - - Tyldesley/Pleat, PAL)
Semi-Final, 2nd Leg - Arsenal (0) @ (0) Villarreal - Arsenal were 1 goal up from the 1st leg and were looking to reach the European Cup Final for the 1st time in their history. Despite assurances from manager Arsenne Wenger that Arsenal would be creative, the Gunners were very defensive and managed only 2 shots on goal the whole game. Villarreal were the opposite and continually tested goalkeeper Jens Lehman. But for all the pressure, Arsenal looked to be headed for the final when, in the 89th minute, they conceded a penalty. Argentine ace Riquelme stepped up to take it but Lehman guessed right and made the save. Arsenal had qualified for the final (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Tyldesley/Pleat, PAL)
Final - Arsenal (1) v (2) Barcelona - Underdogs Arsenal had their goalkeeper controversially sent off in the 18th minute but took a shock lead with a Sol Campbell goal on 37 minutes. Barcelona dominated the 2nd half and made the breakthrough with 2 goals in 3 minutes from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti. Barca star Ronaldinho had a quiet night while Arsenal star Thierry Henry missed 2 chances (9, 5 Discs, ITV - Tyldesley/Pleat, PAL)