Benfica 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 1

Alex Ferguson’s pre-match observations proved eerily accurate as Manchester United battled back from the brink of humiliation to book their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan believes the defeat against Benfica is part of a learning curve for his players.

CELTIC captain Neil Lennon remains perplexed as to why the Parkhead side failed yet again to perform away from home in the group stages of the Champions League.

Celtic captain Neil Lennon remains perplexed as to why the Parkhead side failed yet again to perform away from home in the group stages of the Champions League.

Celtic defender Stephen McManus has stressed that teammate Gary Caldwell will not be made a dressing room scapegoat after the Scotland international’s horror first-half against Benfica in Lisbon helped the Portuguese club to a three-goal win in their Champions League Group F match in Lisbon.

Benfica 3 Celtic 0

Celtic’s Champions League aspirations were given a huge boost with a convincing 3-0 home win over Benfica.

Shaun Maloney came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first-half of Celtic’s Champions League Group F match against Benfica at Parkhead.

Benfica 0 Manchester United 1

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made way for long-time rival Oliver Kahn as Germany prepared to take on Portugal in the third-place play-off match in Stuttgart.

Liverpool suffered a double defensive injury blow prior to their Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Benfica at Anfield.

Liverpool started their Champions League last-16 first-leg without their skipper Steven Gerrard.

Benfica 2 Manchester United 1

Benfica 2 Manchester United 1

Luis Figo made his much-heralded return to the Portugal squad on Thursday ahead of the World Cup qualifiers with Slovakia and Estonia next month.

The first quarter-final of Euro 2004 has gone to penalties after England's Frank Lampard scored an equaliser nine minutes into the second period of extra time.

England's quarter-final with Portugal has gone into extra time after substitute Helder Postiga headed an equaliser for the hosts with seven minutes to go.

England are looking to equal their best ever performance in the European Championships by booking a semi-final spot at the expense of host nation Portugal.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wielded the axe as his side went into their life-or-death Group A clash with Russia at the Estadio da Luz.

PORTUGAL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named his provisional squad for European Championship in June.

Helder Postiga was today named in Portugal’s squad for 2004 despite a hugely disappointing first season with Tottenham.

The Portuguese Soccer Federation has suspended international goalkeeper Joaquim "Quim" Silva after he tested positive for nandrolone.