Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs all were in action in the Champions League last-16 round first-leg games played out during the past two weeks. Here is a round-up of the results and the situations the teams find themselves in.
Former Real Madrid icon Raul scored his 71st goal in Europe after equalizing for Schalke in the 63rd minute. Roberto Soldado had opened the scoring in the game with a strike in the 17th minute at the Mestalla.ReutersSpurs shocked Milan at the San Siro, with Peter Crouch's goal giving them an advantage going into the second leg at White Hart Lane. It was a tense, rugged affair and the Spurs' win was marred by an ugly altercation between Milan's Gattuso and Spurs' assistant coach Joe Jordan.ReutersArsenal created the upset of the round with a 2-1 victory over Spanish giants Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium. David Villa opened the scoring for the visitors, but a strong second half performance saw Van Persie equalize before Arshavin grabbed the winner late on. ReutersDonetsk stunned Roma with a comeback win at the Stadio Olimpico. Three goals in thirteen first-half minutes from Jadson, Douglas Costa and Luiz Adriano cancelled out Dinca Rat's own goal. Jeremy Menez scored Roma's second after the hour mark but the Italians have a tough task in the second leg if they are to qualify to the quarters.ReutersA late strike from Bafetimbi Gomis denied Real Madrid at the Stade de Gerland. After a poor first half display, Madrid improved in the second and former Lyon striker Benzema scored the opener for the Spanish giants. However, Gomis' late strike takes the game into an interesting second leg though Madrid have the advantage with the away goal.ReutersNicholas Anelka was the hero for Chelsea as he got the London club back to winning ways with a brace. The performance of Fernando Torres was also a good sign for the English Champions and they're favorites to qualify for the quarter finals.ReutersMarseille and Manchester United played out a drab goalless draw at the Stade Velodrome, and the tie is finely balanced going into the second leg at Old Trafford.ReutersIn the rematch of the 2010 final, Bayern Munich got a small measure of revenge against Inter Milan after Mario Gomez's injury time strike at the San Siro gave the visitors the advantage going into the second leg. Reuters
