Liverpool triumph in Olso; Rangers are out of the Champions League

Valerenga Oslo 1 – Liverpool 4 (Friendly, August 5, 2008) Xabi Alonso scored the opener in the 20th minute from long-range after a nice lay-off from Robbie Keane. Bojan Zajic levelled in the 48th minute, with the Serbian slotting home a left-footed strike. Liverpool replied within a couple of minutes, with Fernando Torres slotting the ball between the keeper’s legs. Yossi Benayoun made it 3-1 to Liverpool on the hour-mark, running across the Valerenga defence and deftly chipping the ball back across the keeper into the far corner, and David N’Gog scored his second goal for the Reds, firing home a left-footed strike to seal the win. (Analysis of all four Liverpool goals can be seen here.)

Sheffield Wednesday 2 – Wigan 3 (Friendly, August 2, 2008) Emile Heskey converted Daniel De Ridder’s corner before Jermaine Johnson beat Carlo Nash to bring the Owls level. Wigan were back in front before half-time when Titus Bramble nodded home from De Ridder’s corner. Wednesday levelled matters shortly after the interval when Deon Burton converted from the penalty spot after Marcus Tudgay was fouled in the box. But a last minute winner from Amr Zaki clinched the win when he converted Henri Camara’s ball from six-yards out.

Bayern Munich 0 – Inter Milan 1 (Beckenbauer Cup, August 5, 2008) After a goalless first-half (highlights here), Inter Milan took the lead just after the break with a goal from new signing Amantino Mancini after Figo had played him in. (Amusingly, Mancini dropped the trophy at the post-match presentation.)

Levski Sofia 0 – Werder Bremen 0 (Friendly, August 5, 2008)

Rayo Vallecano 2 – Atletico Madrid 4 (Teresa Rivero Trophy, August 5, 2008) Atletico Madrid dominated the match, and went two goals up through Pongolle and captain Maxi Rodriguez. Rayo hit back, and drew level thanks to goals by Piti and Aganzo. But in the final stages Atletico took control, Maxi Rodriguez got his second before Camacho scored at the death.

Mensajero 0 – Tenerife 6 (Friendly, August 5, 2008)

Real Zaragoza 3 – Pontevedra 2 (Friendly, August 5, 2008)

***

Kaunas 2 – Rangers 1 (Agg. 2-1) (Champions League qualifier, August 5, 2008) Rangers started well, Kevin Thomson put them ahead after 33 minutes breaking on to a Nacho Novo pass to score with a low shot through the legs of keeper Marian Kello. Nerijus Radzius equalised for hosts Kaunas 10 minutes later with a fierce free kick which flew over the wall and beyond the right hand of goalkeeper Allan McGregor. And the Lithuanians recorded the famous victory with just three minutes remaining, Pilibaitis the hero with a header from a corner.

***

New England Revolution 2 – Houston Dynamo 2 AET (Pens. 6-5) (SuperLiga Final, August 5, 2008) Steve Nicol’s side won the SuperLiga on penalties after a dramatic game in which they had come from behind twice to equalise. Nate Jaqua opened the scoring only for Steve Ralston to level the scores. In extra-time, Kei Kamara’s header was equalised by Shalrie Joseph to take the game to pens where Corey Ashe was the fall guy hitting his penalty against the crossbar to give the Revs the trophy.

***

Independiente 2 – Estudiantes 1 (Copa Sudamericana, August 5, 2008)

Deportivo Quito 2 – Universitario Peru 1 (Copa Sudamericana, August 5, 2008) (Longer highlights here.)

***

Sao Caetano 3 – Fortaleza 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro B, August 5, 2008)

Corinthians 2 – Juventude 0 (Campeonato Brasileiro B, August 5, 2008)