Milan, Madrid storm into Champions League knockout stage
Zaltan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho were on the score sheet for AC Milan as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Auxerre in Group G of the UEFA Champions League. In another Group G clash Real Madrid thrashed Ajax 4-0, away from home, to end their hopes of qualifying
for the knockout stage. The results mean Madrid and Milan are through to the round of 16.
Milan scored both goals in the second half against a lackluster Auxerre side. Ibrahimovic opened the scoring for the Rossoneri just after the hour mark. The goal scorer was replaced by Ronaldinho in the 86th minute, who also got his name on the
score sheet in injury time.
Earlier, Robinho had the first chance of the game, but failed to find the net. The home side then enjoyed a spell of possession in which Roy Contout and Benoit Pedretti forced a few saves out of the Milan keeper Abbiati. Clarence Seedorf mustered Milan’s
next chance, but his shot flew over the bar. He was in the mix of things again, as he set up a chance for Mathieu Flamini, but the Frenchman’s shot was blocked. The first half ended with the score at nil-nil.
The second half began much like the first, as both sides managed a number of shots in the opening 15 minutes, which failed to threaten. Ibrahimovic’s goal in the 64th minute came against the run of play. His right foot shot from outside the box
ended up in the top corner. Auxerre was desperate for an equaliser, but Oliech and Stephane Grichting's shots failed to put the French side on level terms. The game was put to bed in the 90th minute by a low Ronaldinho shot into the bottom corner, after an
assist from Robinho.
The other game in group G between Real Madrid and Ajax was filled with goals, all of which came from the Spanish side. Ajax came into the game with an unbeaten home record this season. Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice in the second half, after Karim Benzema
and Alvaro Arbeloa gave the away side a 2-0 lead before half-time.
The hosts were being bullied around by an in-form Madrid, who looked in complete control of the game. Pedro Leon, Ronaldo, Benzema and Mesut Ozil threatened to open the scoring but failed to find the back of the net. Benzema scored the first of Madrid’s
four goals with a strike into the top corner, after a majestic back heel from Ozil. Arbeloa made it 2-0 just before half time through a long range shot which took a deflection off Ajax striker Mounir El Hamdaoui.
Madrid continued the second half with the same fluency, and just two minutes in Ronaldo almost made it 3-0, when he was through on goal after a wonderful solo run. Ajax forced Casillas to make his first save of the match, when he was at full stretch to deny
Jan Vertonghen in the 68th minute. Madrid made it 3-0 a minute later through a close-range Ronaldo strike. Ozil came close to putting his name on the score sheet, with a well directed free kick in the 76th minute, which was brilliantly saved by Stekelenburg.
Ronaldo scored his second of the game from the penalty spot, after Ozil was brought down in the box by Urby Emanuelson.
Madrid’s evening ended on a sour note as they finished the game with nine men, after Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were both shown their second yellow cards for time wasting.
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