Soccer: Rooney heads United home in Milan

LONDON - Two headers from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United to a 3-2 victory at AC Milan, while Lyon beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the last 16 of the Champions League today .

United came from behind to win at the San Siro and spoil David Beckham's first ever appearance against his old club after the former England captain - on loan to Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy - had provided the free kick that led to Milan's early goal in the first leg match.

"We played really well in the first half, going a goal up, and we had three really good chances," Beckham said. "If we had put them away, obviously it would have been a different game. But you have to put those chances away especially against a team like Manchester United and a player like Wazza (Rooney).

"Clarence getting the goal means it doesn't finish the tie off. I enjoyed the game but disappointed with the result."

United defender Patrice Evra half cleared Beckham's free kick and the ball came to Ronaldinho who scored with a deflected shot.

Paul Scholes equalised with a 36th minute miskick from Darren Fletcher's cross. The midfielder missed the ball with his right foot but it struck his left leg and the ricochet took it past surprised goalkeeper Dida.

Veteran United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had to make top quality saves from Andrea Pirlo's long range free kick and Ronaldinho's curling drive before Rooney struck twice at the other end.

He headed home a cross by Antonio Valencia in the 66th minute was left unmarked to head powerfully home from Darren Fletcher's cross from the left in the 74th.

Facing United for the first time since moving to Real Madrid in 2003, Beckham was replaced by Clarence Seedorf after 71 minutes and left the field with United fans singing "there's only one David Beckham".

Seedorf added a second for Milan when he turned home Ronaldinho's cross in the 85th minute but the seven-time European champion needs a convincing win at Old Trafford to make it to the quarterfinals.

Michael Carrick was sent off in injury time for a second yellow and will miss the second leg on March 10.

While the game in Milan was a five-goal thriller, Lyon beat Madrid for the third time in a row thanks to a solo strike by Jean II Makoun in the 47th minute.

The Cameroon midfielder went on a run inside the Madrid half, reached the edge of the area and fired a looping shot over the head of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The French side kept the dangerous Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka quiet and even Karim Benzema, who scored 72 goals in 172 matches for Lyon before moving to the Spanish football giant, failed to make an impact as a substitute 30 minutes from the end.

"It was a very physical match, Lyon played with a lot of passion and they covered the ground well and marked us very well," Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said.

"The result is not good for us, we've conceded a goal without scoring. We will need a very disciplined performance to turn this round, but I have faith in my players."

Madrid defender Marcelo and midfielder Xabi Alonso are suspended for the second leg after collecting yellow cards.

Two more games are being staged on Wednesday - FC Porto at home to Arsenal and Bayern Munich welcoming Fiorentina.

The remaining four first leg matches are next week: Olympiakos hosts Bordeaux and defending champion Barcelona goes to Stuttgart. Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho faces Chelsea, the club he guided to two Premier League titles in a row, and CSKA Moscow hosts Sevilla.

Today's schedule included one Europa League game in the round of 32, with Everton beating Sporting Club 2-1.

Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin gave Everton a 2-0 lead by the 49th minute. But an 87th minute penalty converted by Sporting's Miguel Veloso after a red card for Distin will give the visiting team plenty of hope in the home leg - when a 1-0 win will qualify the Portuguese club.

The remaining first leg games are being staged on Friday (NZT).

- AP