Champions League: Samuel Eto’o fires in hat-trick for reigning champions
Inter Milan romped to a 4-0 win over Werder Bremen at the San Siro last night thanks to a hat-trick from Samuel Eto’o.
The Cameroon striker gave the current Champions League holders the lead after scoring from Esteban Cambiasso’s pass, and grabbed his second just six minutes later. Wesley Sneijder added a third goal seven minutes later, after being teed up by Eto’o, who then scored his third goal on the night after going around Bremen ‘keeper Tim Wiese to tuck into an empty net.
Barcelona kicked off earlier in the evening in their match against Rubin Kazin and could only settle for a 1-1 draw. Rubin took four points off Barcelona in last season’s group phase, famously winning 2-1 at the Camp Nou. They proved to be the bogey team once again, as the Russian side took the lead through Cristian Noboa’s penalty, and were intent on sitting back with Barcelona enjoying the majority of the possession. David Villa equalised from the penalty spot, but the Spanish champions nearly lost the game, with Rubin hitting the post late on.
FC Copenhagen climbed to top spot in Barcelona’s group with a 2-0 win at Panathinaikos, who were reduced to 10-men when the former Arsenal player Gilberto Silva was sent off for two yellow cards. Dame N'Doye gave the Danish side the lead when he slotted the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper, and Martin Vingaard doubled the advantage with a free-kick that swerved and rocketed into the back of the net.
Olympique Lyonnais won 3-1 at Hapoel Tel-Aviv with two goals from Michel Bastos and a goal from Miralem Pjanic. Bastos put the French team in front from the penalty spot and scored his second after his powerful shot was deflected. Hapoel pulled a goal back with their own penalty, scored by their ‘keeper Vincent Enyeama, but Pjanic sealed the win deep into injury time.
Schalke beat Portuguese side Benfica 2-0 to go second in the group behind Lyonnais. The game looked to be heading for a draw until Jefferson Farfan popped up with a crucial goal 17 minutes from time. A well-worked second goal, which saw Raúl link up with Jermaine Jones, whose pass found Klass-Jan Huntelaar to tap in from close range, followed soon after.
Rangers overcame Turkish champions Bursaspor 1-0 at Ibrox with a goal from Steven Naismith early in the first half. Naismith flicked the ball into the net after Kirk Broadfoot managed to head on a Steven Whittaker pass. With Manchester United winning late on at Valencia in the other group game, it was a vital win for manager Walter Smith, as last season their home form was to blame for their disappointing exit.
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