|
LONDON -- Real Madrid gave APOEL Nicosia a reality check in the biggest match of the unheralded Cypriot clubs history when they met Tuesday in the Champions League. Cheap Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . Looking to cause one of the greatest shocks in the history of the competition, APOEL came up short against the millionaires from Madrid, losing 3-0 at home to the nine-time European champions in the first leg of the quarterfinals. All of Madrids goals came in the final 16 minutes at a rocking GSP Stadium in Nicosia, with France striker Karim Benzema scoring twice to take his Champions League haul to 25 goals in 41 matches and Brazilian playmaker Kaka scoring the other after coming off the bench. "Real has advanced to the next phase of the Champions League, thats for sure," APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic said. Chelsea also took a giant step toward the semifinals, beating Portuguese side Benfica 1-0 away courtesy of Salomon Kalous 75th-minute goal. "Its terrific, you couldnt have hoped for a better result," interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said. "Nothing is over -- there is still another 90 minutes to play. But we will have home advantage." After producing one of the most diverse quarterfinal lineups in recent memory, the Champions League could easily end up having four of its usual contenders in the semifinals. The two other last-eight first legs are played on Wednesday, with reigning champion Barcelona visiting AC Milan and Marseille at home to Bayern Munich, which hosts the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19. Either Marseille or Bayern will surely be facing Madrid, which gave a confident, assured display on the tiny Mediterranean island. After beating Lyon in the last 16, the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions Leagues knockout stages was looking to add an even more famous scalp on its historic run. But in the end the margin of victory could easily have been wider. "The dream of the Champions League looks like its over. It looks very, very, very difficult for APOEL to beat us 4-0 or 4-1 in the Bernabeu," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. "But I think the next dream is to be in the Champions League again." Benzema had somehow contrived to miss an open goal from five yards (meters) out before finally opening the scoring in the 74th, diving to meet Kakas cross from the left with a glancing header. Kaka gave Madrid more of a cutting edge after coming on as a second-half substitute and he neatly finished off good work on the left wing by fellow substitute and compatriot Marcelo to end APOELs hopes of a comeback in the 82nd. Mourinho, bidding to become the first coach to win the competition with three clubs, was able to celebrate a third goal approaching injury time when Benzema connected with a perfect pass from Mesut Oezil. "This draw with Real was perhaps the last gift weve received from football this year because for us, it was a real honour to play this team," Jovanovic said. Di Matteo has made an impressive start to his temporary spell in charge following the firing of Andre Villas-Boas but would have faced heavy criticism had a much-changed lineup, missing stalwarts Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien, lost against Benfica. As it was, his selection gamble paid off, with Fernando Torres -- starting in place of Drogba up front -- crossing for Kalou to guide home a side-footed finish to mark a rare start for the Ivory Coast forward. "Hes come into the team after a long spell out, he got the goal and had a great game," Di Matteo said of Kalou. "I didnt think it was a gamble but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk." Benfica created double the amount of chances as Chelsea, Englands sole remaining representative, but lacked composure in front of goal, with Oscar Cardozo, Bruno Cesar and Jardel all wasting good opportunities. wholesale jerseys . Maria Silvia Bastos Marques, president of the EOM (Municipal Olympic Company), will be leaving her post but will remain as an advisor, a city hall statement said Tuesday. Cheap Phoenix Suns Jerseys . Nick Bonino and Matt Beleskey also scored in regulation and Frederik Andersen stopped 27 shots for the Ducks, who will face Dallas in the opening round of the post-season. Anze Kopitar had two goals, including the tying one with 3:12 left in the third period, and Dustin Brown also scored for Los Angeles.PHOENIX - Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington has pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend. Washington had a change of plea hearing Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and a judge set sentencing for April 23. Washington had been facing an April 30 trial in the case after originally pleading not gguilty to aggravated assault and trespassing charges. nfl jerseys china. . He was accused of grabbing his ex-girlfriend, the mother of the couples daughter, by the throat and shoving her to the ground during an argument at her apartment last May. His ex-girlfriend told police that Washington pushed her with two hands, causing her to fall and break her right collarbone. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
