Tuesday's UEFA Champions League matches were about as good as any neutral observer could have hoped-save, perhaps, the match between Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos, in which the teams drew 0-0 in a near-replica of the match of two weeks ago. The story of the day, however, unquestionably belongs to Gareth Bale, whose form against Inter Milan almost single-handedly won the match for Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs winger set up two goals for the Champions League newcomers while giving Maicon a terrific headache, refusing to let the right-back play further up the pitch. Spurs beat Inter 3-1 at White Hart Lane to take top in Group A.
UEFA Champions League Tuesday: Tottenham Hotspur Triumph Over Inter Milan, Manchester United Knock Out Bursaspor
In much less impressive news, Manchester United beat Bursaspor 3-0, knocking out the Turkish club at their home ground. Although the match was goalless at the start of the second half, Darren Fletcher opened the scoring for United before Gabriel Obertan scored his first Champions League goal. Bursapor were still chasing own first goal in the tournament, finding it four minutes later through Ali Tandoğan. Unfortunately for Bursa, Ali put the ball into his own net.
Valencia moved up to second in Group C today with a 3-0 win over Rangers, with Roberto Soldado’s brace and substitute Tino Costa’s last-minute goal giving the Glasgow side their first defeat in the tournament.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv earned their first point with a goalless draw against Schalke, but that point wasn’t enough to keep the Israeli side in the tournament.
Benfica raced out to a 4-0 lead against Group B leaders Olympique Lyon before the visitors staged a late rally, grabbing three goals in the last twenty minutes of play. Left-back Fabio Coentrão was the hero for Benfica, scoring twice, the first a deft volley, the second a lob over Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris.
FC Twente had to leave it late before overcoming Werder Bremen 2-0, taking full advantage of Torsten Frings’s controversial 76th minute sending off. Nacer Chadli and Luuk De Jong (no relation to Nigel) sealed the crucial away victory with goals in the final ten minutes of the match.
David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez both hit the post for Barcelona against FC Copenhagen, but the Catalans couldn't manage to overcome some dogged defending from the hosts, who capitalized on Victor Valdez's error to equalize following a 31st minute goal from the sublime Lionel Messi. Valdez was also involved in an ugly incident earlier on in the match when he clattered into Senegalese forward Dame N'doye. Fortunately, N'doye emerged unscathed.
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