Wins for Liverpool and Real, Chelsea play out draw.
KEY POINTS:
Liverpool stormed through to the last 16 of the Champions League soccer competition with a spectacular 4-0 win at Olympique Marseille in their final group A match this morning.
Captain Steven Gerrard opened the scoring in the fourth minute, following up after his penalty kept out by Marseille
goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.
Spain striker Fernando Torres doubled the advantage with a fine solo effort seven minutes later and Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt made it 3-0 from close range following a poor Mandada clearance early in the second half. Substitute winger Ryan Babel then wrapped it up in added time.
Marseille, who had stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in October, looked nervous from the kickoff and will have to be content with finishing third in the group to continue in the UEFA Cup.
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Real Madrid powered their way into the knockout stage of the Champions League as winners of group C with a confident 3-1 victory over Lazio at the Bernabeu.
Quick-fire goals from Julio Baptista and Raul put Real two goals up with just 15 minutes on the clock and Robinho added a third before halftime to ensured the nine-times European champions entered the last 16 for the 11th season in a row.
Baptista put Real in front when he curled a shot low past keeper Marco Ballotta from the edge of the area, Raul added a second two minutes later and Robinho made it 3-0 just before the break.
Real's victory was never in danger but Lazio striker Goran Pandev grabbed a consolation 10 minutes from time and fellow striker Tommaso Rocchi had a chance to pull another one back at the death but fluffed a last-gasp penalty.
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Chelsea's unbeaten home run reached the half-century mark today when they drew 0-0 with Valencia in an uninspired Champions League group B soccer match which only the London side showed any interest in winning.
The landmark, 50 games at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since February 2006, will be the only thing the match is remembered for as Chelsea, already assured of top spot, enjoyed a one-sided exhibition but without a cutting edge.
Valencia began the night with a slim hope of a UEFA Cup place for finishing third in the group but even that disappeared with Schalke 04's 3-1 win over Rosenberg Trondheim and the Spaniards barely mustered an effort on goal.
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou hit the bar and Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares pushed a Joe Cole shot onto a post as the hosts pushed for a winner but by then thoughts were already turning to Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal.
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ALSO:
At Gelsenkirchen, Germany: Schalke 04 (Germany) 3 (Asamoah 12, Rafinha 19, Kuranyi 36) defeated Rosenborg (Norway) 1 (Kone 23).
At Athens: Olympiakos (Greece) 3 (Stoltidis 12, 74 Kovacevic 70) defeated Werder Bremen (Germany) 0.
At Oporto, Portugal: FC Porto (Portugal) 2 (Lucho Gonzalez 44, Quaresma 62) defeated Besiktas (Turkey) 0.
- REUTERS
