Football match-fixing: 14 arrested in Singapore raid

Singapore police have arrested 14 people allegedly involved in an organised crime gang implicated in global football match-fixing, after a series of raids.  Twelve men and two women were detained as part of a major crackdown on match-fixing cartels, with the arrests coming days after four English non-league players were charged in Australia.

The operation lasted 12 hours and police confirmed one of the arrests included the suspected "mastermind", though no names had been released on Wednesday night.


Interpol, the France-based international police co-operation organisation, commended the arrests, with the matches understood to have included Champions League ties and World Cup qualifiers.

The Singapore Police Force and the Corrupt Practises Investigation Bureau issued a joint statement which read: "Police confirm that the suspected leader and several other individuals who are the subject of ongoing investigations in other jurisdictions for match fixing were among the persons arrested."

European anti-crime agency Europol revealed in February that a Singapore-based syndicate had directed match-fixing for at least 380 matches in Europe alone in a multi-million euro operation.

Fifa, the world governing body, has also warned that match-fixing is threatening the sport on a global scale and has handed down heavy punishments to players and officials found guilty.

In April, three Lebanese officials were dropped from refereeing an AFC Cup match in Singapore, hours before kick-off.

Referee Ali Sabbagh was jailed for six months in Singapore for accepting sexual favours to fix the game between Singapore's Tampines Rovers and India's East Bengal.

Fifa also issued global bans on players from Estonia and Tunisia as well as match officials from Armenia in connection with attempts to manipulate games.

Messi picks up where he left off, Chelsea stumble

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi responded in kind to Cristiano Ronaldo's treble, FC Basel 1893 stunned Chelsea FC and SSC Napoli beat Borussia Dortmund as matchday one concluded.
Gerardo Martino enjoyed a comfortable first night of UEFA Champions League action, with his FC Barcelona side winning 4-0 in their maiden meeting with fellow four-time European Cup winners AFC Ajax.Lionel Messi, UEFA Champions League top scorer for four years in a row before Cristiano Ronaldo stole his crown last season, does not look likely to give up without a fight this term. Where the Portugal forward hit a hat-trick for Real Madrid CF on opening night, Messi duly followed suit against Ajax. The Argentina forward now has four UEFA Champions League hat-tricks, more than any other player. Gerard Piqué was also on the mark for the Azulgrana, with the Eredivisie title holders spurning the chance for a consolation from the penalty spot. In the other game in Group H, AC Milan struck twice in the last eight minutes to see off Celtic FC.

Group F, one of the toughest sections to call, has taken some early shape following 2-1 victories for Arsenal FC and SSC Napoli. The Gunners prevailed at Olympique de Marseille courtesy of Theo Walcott and the in-form Aaron Ramsey, while Rafael Benítez's team picked up three points against the 2012/13 runners-up thanks to goals from Gonzalo Higuaín and Lorenzo Insigne. Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller was sent off on the stroke of half-time in Naples. Both OM and Dortmund halved their arrears late on but it was too little, too late.

Chelsea FC – whom Benítez guided to last season's UEFA Europa League title – did not enjoy such a good start, losing 2-1 at home to FC Basel 1893, the club they eliminated in the semi-finals en route to triumphing in Amsterdam in May. The west Londoners were previously unbeaten in 13 European matches at Stamford Bridge. Sitting atop Group E are FC Schalke 04, 3-0 victors over FC Steaua Bucureşti in Gelsenkirchen.


FK Austria Wien, the only group stage debutants involved this term, marked their bow in the competition proper with a 1-0 home defeat by FC Porto. Club Atlético de Madrid won 3-1 against FC Zenit in the other Group G fixture.

Group E
FC Schalke 04 3-0 FC Steaua Bucureşti
Chelsea FC 1-2 FC Basel 1893

Group F
Olympique de Marseille 1-2 Arsenal FC
SSC Napoli 2-1 Borussia Dortmund

Group G
FK Austria Wien 0-1 FC Porto
Club Atlético de Madrid 3-1 FC Zenit

Group H
AC Milan 2-0 Celtic FC
FC Barcelona 4-0 AFC Ajax

Chelsea 1-2 Basel

Salah and Streller stun Stamford Bridge!!!

Jose Mourinho loses his second match on the trot as the Swiss side grew in the second half to beat the Premier League outfit after Oscar broke the deadline just before half-time.Jose Mourinho endured frustration on his return to Champions League action with Chelsea as Basel came from a goal down to win 2-1.Six years to the day after a 1-1 draw with Rosenborg that represented the final game of Mourinho's first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were stunned by second-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Marco Streller.

Oscar fired the hosts ahead in the 45th minute in the Group E clash with his sixth goal in seven Champions League outings and the Brazilian also hit the bar prior to Salah’s classy left-footed leveller.

That goal prompted Chelsea to throw men forward, yet it was Basel - always dangerous on the break - who struck again when Streller beat Petr Cech with a near-post header from a corner.

Willian was handed his Chelsea debut and Marco van Ginkel a first start as Mourinho made five changes from the side beaten 1-0 by Everton at the weekend.

Basel recalled a host of players after fielding a weakened side for their Schweizer Pokal victory against Munsingen.

Mourinho's men unsurprisingly started the game on the front foot, albeit without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

There was a scare for Basel goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 15th minute when he fumbled a corner from the left, but a free-kick was swiftly awarded in his favour.

The pacey Salah - a scorer at Stamford Bridge in last season's Europa League semi-final between the two sides - represented the main threat when Basel launched occasional attacks.

After Eden Hazard had spurned a rare clear sighting of goal for Chelsea following good work from Samuel Eto'o, Salah also proved wasteful when cutting in from the right and curling a shot over the bar.

Despite dominating possession and the corner count, the hosts remained frustrated as half-time approached.

However, Chelsea were lifted on the stroke of the interval as Oscar popped up with a timely goal.

David Luiz set the attack in motion by stepping into midfield and Oscar latched on to a delicate throughball from Frank Lampard to find the bottom-left corner with a first-time shot on the turn.

Streller was close to connecting with a left-wing cross early in the second half before Oscar struck the bar at the other end with a tremendous effort from just outside the area.

Hazard failed to hit the target once again either side of Branislav Ivanovic twice threatening from set-pieces.

Chelsea were then punished for not extending their lead when a cross from the left broke via Streller to Salah, who emulated Oscar by only requiring one touch to find the net.

Although Chelsea poured forward in search of a late winner, it was Basel who finished the stronger and their encouraging play gained reward as Streller shocked the home crowd.

AC Milan 2-0 Celtic

Neil Lennon's men spurned more than their fair share of chances and were eventually punished when the hosts rallied in the final minutes of their Champions League opener.Emilio Izaguirre's own goal and a Sulley Muntari effort gave AC Milan a 2-0 Champions League win over Celtic at San Siro on Wednesday.Cristian Zapata's strike deflected off the Bhoys defender to put the hosts ahead after 82 minutes and, with the visitors pushing for a way back into the game, the Ghanaian doubled the Italian side's lead three minutes later to get the Rossoneri off to a winning start in Group H.


The well-documented Milan injury list meant that Massimiliano Allegri was forced into a number of changes, with Stephan El Shaarawy, Kaka, Giampaolo Pazzini, Riccardo Montolivo and Ignazio Abate among the absentees.

Slovenia international Valter Birsa made his debut for the club while Antonio Nocerino partnered Nigel de Jong in midfield for the clash.

Celtic had injuries of their own to contend with and were unable to name James Forrest or Joe Ledley in their matchday squad, although Adam Matthews shook off an ankle problem to start.

Mario Balotelli was quickly among the action, volleying an effort at Fraser Forster after three minutes, but the Celtic goalkeeper was equal to the task as he palmed the strike away.

Celtic's first chance came from a indirect free kick inside the area following a backpass but Charlie Mulgrew saw his shot deflected over the crossbar.

Alessandro Matri's header then forced another good save from Forster before Nocerino fired narrowly over just after the half-hour mark.

Balotelli again threatened a minute from the break when his low, swerving effort almost deflected into the far corner of Forster's goal.

Giorgos Samaras had the first opportunity of the second half for Celtic, with the Greek firing just past Christian Abbiati's post while Muntari headed just over for the hosts a minute after the hour mark.

After a lengthy period of Milan pressure, Anthony Stokes crashed a free kick against the crossbar for the visitors 10 minutes from time with Abbiati beaten.

However, two minutes later, Milan had their lead courtesy of a Zapata effort from outside the area that deflected off Izaguirre and in.

Muntari was then on hand three minutes later to make it two, bundling home from close-range after Balotelli's free kick had come back off the post to ensure that Milan came away with the three points.

Barcelona 4-0 Ajax

The Argentine matched Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts for Real Madrid on Tuesday by firing the Blaugrana to victory with three goals.Lionel Messi once more took centre stage as his hat-trick helped Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Ajax in the UEFA Champions League.

The Argentinian scored in both halves of the Group H fixture at the Camp Nou, to give Barcelona victory in the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

It marked an emotional Champions League debut for coach Gerardo Martino, with victory coming just a few days after the death of his father.

After a bright opening, Messi broke the deadlock with fierce free-kick in the 22nd minute.

His second came 10 minutes after half-time with a cool finish from inside the area, before Gerard Pique put gloss on the scoreline with a header from Neymar’s cross and Messi completed his treble when he feigned his shot before guiding an effort into the corner.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson could have grabbed a consolation, but he saw his 77th-minute penalty saved by Victor Valdes.

Martino included Messi and Neymar in Barcelona’s starting XI, with the latter making his Champions League debut.

The Dutch side had Siem de Jong available, following his recovery from a collapsed lung.

Barcelona dominated possession in the opening exchanges and they took the lead when Messi once again lived up to his tag of the world’s best footballer with a stunning free-kick in the 22nd minute.

After being felled by Lerin Duarte on the right, he picked himself up to hit a thunderous strike, with the ball going in off the the post as Kenneth Vermeer failed to keep it out at full stretch.

Ajax nearly stole an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Bojan curled a cross deep towards the far post and a diving header from Ricardo van Rhijn forced a smart reaction save from Valdes.

The visitors could have had a penalty when Sigthorsson went to ground under a challenge from Pique. The loose ball was met by Duarte, but he placed his first-time effort straight at Valdes.

After surviving those scares, Messi effectively ended the game as a contest in the 55th minute.

He controlled a Sergio Busquets pass on the right side of the box before feinting inside Stefano Denswil and firing his effort past Vermeer.

Barcelona continued to press and Neymar and Dani Alves both had efforts blocked.

And the pressure told in the 69th minute when Neymar played an in-swinging cross from the left that was met by the head of Pique to make it 3-0.

Messi then completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining. His dummied effort confused the whole defence, including Vermeer, before he slotted into the far corner.

Ajax could have had a consolation when Javier Mascherano fouled substitute Thulani Serero in the area but Sigthorsson saw his penalty beaten away by Valdes.

Links for live streaming Champion League 18/09/2013

Chelsea - Basel
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239cd4bddae70.18349113-643621.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5238e7f7cb9a91.55082062-643338.html
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Sopcast:
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Marseile - Arsenal
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5238e8088935b7.52017431-643339.html
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Sopcast:
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Schalke - Steaua
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5238e7e1dd49c0.44050726-643337.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0d323a865.59556375-643703.html
Sopcasr:
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Napoli - borussia Dortmund
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0bcf2e5b8.84551648-643652.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0bc72ea44.57319286-643647.html
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Sopcast:
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Atletico Madrid - Zenit
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0c0db4785.05598858-643657.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5238e83800b3c7.87387357-643342.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0c138b3c0.23158223-643660.html
Sopcast
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239eb753ad034.63677211-643799.html
Barcelona – Ajax
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5238e85e6a2450.20318427-643344.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0c938a6e5.88504286-643673.html
Sopcast:
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AC Milan - Celtic
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0cbec22e6.35409420-643680.html
http://www.sportlemon.tv/20130918/vv5239d0cbd316e1.25601976-643679.html
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Sopcast
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Bale delighted by Real start

Bale was speaking after coming off the bench in Madrid's 6-1 hammering of Galatasaray in Istanbul in the Champions League.
The Wales international came on midway through the second half and played his part in two goals as Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a hat-trick.
But Bale had no concerns about starting from the bench and was just happy to be back playing in the world's biggest club competition.

"It is amazing and a big reason why I joined such a big club was to be playing in the biggest competition in the world and it was great to get out there tonight, get the win and a good start," he told Sky Sports.
Bale surprisingly made his debut from the start against Villarreal last weekend, but he knew he would not start two games in a row due to his lack of pre-season prior to his world record move.
"I spoke with the manager and I had no pre-season whatsoever, I have trained seven or eight days, had 30 minutes for Wales and 60 minutes on the weekend so it was all about easing me in, and I felt good when I came on and I contributed," he continued.
"It is a different situation not to have a pre-season and it is a bit difficult, but I am feeling like I am getting there, getting minutes on the pitch and it is all about game time and building myself up."
Bale says he is already feeling part of the squad and added: "I think all the boys have made me very welcome and I have settled straight away and I am enjoying my football and want to crack on now, get my fitness up and play a lot more games and have a good season."

Wayne's World again for United

Wayne Rooney was all smiles as Manchester United beat Bayer Leverkusen.

All is forgiven.
Wayne Rooney scored twice and Manchester United won their Champions League opener 4-2 against Bayer Leverkusen so everything is right with the world.
That is one view to take but those within the Old Trafford hierarchy will need a little bit longer to forgive and forget after this summer's transfer saga.
It's fair to say it wasn't entirely smooth sailing for United in the off-season with Rooneygate taking months to fizzle out and Marouane Fellaini the only new arrival on a frustrating deadline day that saw deals for Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera and Fabio Coentrao slip by.
There was also the possible interest in a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo coming to nothing as the forward extended his megabucks deal at the Bernabeu.
That has left Red Devils fans nervy in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson abdicating his throne following Premier League title number 13.

David Moyes still has a long way to go to convince his doubters - plenty of whom will never take to him wearing the United crown - but it's been a solid start to his reign.
Tuesday night's goal-laden victory over Leverkusen contained more good than bad for Moyes' men with Rooney the number one tick on his list of positives.
The fans were happy to chant Rooney's name as he was replaced by Javier Hernandez in the final stages of Tuesday's win and they are right to do so if basing their support purely on performances on the pitch.
If they are taking other factors into account it may have been wise to wait before falling in love again. It should be twice bitten in transfer sagas, thrice shy.
That isn't to take anything away from Rooney. The continuation of the 27-year-old's time at Old Trafford is clearly a good thing for United as there aren't many - if any - better players available to replace him.
Chelsea and Arsenal have both already shown in their limitations so far this term what a difference getting Rooney's signature would have made to their endeavours.
His partnership with Robin van Persie continues to evolve and the Dutchman remains - despite Rooney's desire to get top billing - United's star man.
He's continually a goal threat and even when quiet - like for large portions of the win over Leverkusen - it's no surprise to see him get on the scoresheet with one moment of magic.
Hernandez and Danny Welbeck sit in reserve as well so it definitely won't be a lack of goals that costs United this season.
The midfield continues to have a question mark over it but at least Fellaini provides a more physical and dynamic presence to go alongside the ever-dependable Michael Carrick.
It wasn't a vintage display from the Belgian powerhouse on his Champions League debut for the club but his presence alone was enough to cause Leverkusen discomfort.
It must be a bit tougher for Shinji Kagawa to feel optimistic about his short-term future.
The Japan international is a very good player but it's not clear where he's going to fit within Moyes' line-up.
Being out on the left doesn't suit him and it was up to Antonio Valencia on the opposite flank to provide the vast majority of United's hustle and bustle on Tuesday.
It's tough to see Kagawa starting in the Manchester derby and he will have to get used to life on the fringes unless a more central role opens up thanks to the never-ending turn of circumstance.
That means we will have to wait to see the class displayed by the playmaker during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The two goals conceded against Leverkusen will be a concern to Moyes but the response to being pegged back to 1-1 was impressively decisive in moving the game out of reach.
David De Gea is a lot more confident than he was at this time last year and it isn't even a question now whether he should be first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Anders Lindegaard.
The rise of the Spaniard has to be considered a major boost and vindication of the faith shown him by Ferguson at the start of the previous campaign.
The next big test for new chief Moyes comes as soon as Sunday and avoiding defeat against Manchester City is a must after the disappointment of the 1-0 loss at Liverpool just before the international break.
Rooney will start and playing his part in beating City would see his hero status further enhanced.
The United fans will love him tomorrow but for how long after that?

Hat-trick hero Ronaldo feeling confident

The Portuguese sensation plundered a second-half hat-trick and reflected positively on his team's performance, while reserving words of encouragement for the injured Casillas.

Hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo is feeling confident with Real Madrid's Champions League start, after his side recorded a 6-1 victory over Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Two days after inking a new five-year contract at the Spanish side that made him the highest paid player in football, the 28-year-old celebrated with three goals in the second half to make a statement of intent on behalf of the Decima-chasing los Blancos.

"You cannot start better. Scoring six goals is very good, it gives us confidence. We're doing well," Ronaldo told TVE.
"We wanted to start strong. The opposition were complicated but, after the goal, we controlled the entire game.
"In the first few minutes they created the best opportunities, but we responded very well. We played very well following the goal."
Ronaldo also touched on the misfortune of team-mate Iker Casillas, who was injured by Sergio Ramos and forced to depart 14 minutes into his first start of the season.
"It's bad luck for Casillas," the Portuguese winger added. "He has been hurt, but he will recover and will return for sure,” maintained the Portuguese forward.
With Copenhagen and Juventus playing out a 1-1 draw in Denmark, Carlo Ancelotti's men have been handed an early lead in the Group B standings.

 

Manchester United - Bayer Leverkusen 4-2

David Moyes' first Champions League group match ended in a convincing victory, with a rampant Wayne Rooney leading the way with two goals and an assist.

Wayne Rooney scored his 200th goal for Manchester United as David Moyes' side beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The England international became only the fourth man in United's history to score 200 goals after notching either side of half-time.

Rooney opened the scoring in the first half with a guided volley but Simon Rolfes equalised against the run of play shortly after the break.

Robin van Persie put United back ahead shortly afterwards, before Rooney pounced on a lapse in the Leverkusen defence to make it 3-1 and Antonio Valencia scored from a superb counterattack.

Omer Toprak pulled one back for Leverkusen with three minutes left - but it was scant consolation.

Marouane Fellaini made his first start for United since his deadline-day move from Everton, while Shinji Kagawa was included in the starting XI for the first time this season.

Similarly, Leverkusen boss Sami Hyypia brought in Giulio Donati, Toprak and Emre Can to bolster the side that defeated Wolfsburg 3-1 on Saturday.

United controlled the tempo in the early exchanges and Chris Smalling almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when he looped a header narrowly over the crossbar.

But just two minutes later the home fans were celebrating a goal their team's play deserved.

Patrice Evra gathered the ball on the left and played a pin-point cross to Rooney, who hit a first-time volley that hit the floor and bounced into the roof of the net – although television replays suggested that Valencia may have blocked goalkeeper Bernd Leno from an offside position.

Moyes' side nearly grabbed a second before half-time when Rooney's 25-yard free kick from the left bounced narrowly wide of Leno's near post before Rooney pounced on a Toprak slip just after the restart but rounded the goalkeeper only to fire wide.

United were immediately punished when Leverkusen made it 1-1 in the 54th minute.

Heung-Min Son held the ball up well in the box before laying back to Rolfes, who hit a first-time bending effort from 20 yards that deflected off Michael Carrick and beyond David De Gea.

They were not level for long, however, as Van Persie restored United's lead in the 59th minute when Valencia surged down the right and centred for the Netherlands international to stretch and guide his volley into the back of the net.

And with 20 minutes remaining, the result was seemingly put beyond doubt when De Gea's long punt down field caused confusion in the Leverkusen defence and Rooney collected on the left before calmly slotting home at the near post. It was a landmark strike from the England man.

Moyes' night got even better when with just 10 minutes left United broke from their own half before Rooney played an accurate ball into the path of Valencia, who rifled home.

With three minutes left, though, Toprak grabbed a consolation when he tapped home a rebounded effort after Stefan Reinartz headed against the crossbar from a corner. But the day belonged to United - and Rooney in particular.

22′ Wayne Rooney

Simon Rolfes 54′ 

59′ Robin van Persie

Ömer Toprak 88′ 

70′ Wayne Rooney

79′ Antonio Valencia

Viktoria Plzen - Manchester City 0-3

Goals from Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero gave the Premier League giants the perfect start to their European campaign in the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.

Edin Dzeko opened the scoring and Yaya Toure's stunning strike doubled City's lead before Sergio Aguero stunned the Czech champions with a third soon after.

City have failed to progress from the group stage in the last two seasons but a convincing victory at the Doosan Arena will give them high hopes of an extended run this time around.

Captain Vincent Kompany was passed fit to return from a groin injury sustained during City's Premier League opener against Newcastle United and manager Manuel Pellegrini also recalled Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Dzeko and Aguero for the Group D encounter.

Plzen were unable to call on defensive duo Marian Cisovsky and Radim Reznik, however, as both were ruled out due to injury.

And to make matters worse for the home side, Pellegrini's men were rampant from the off. Plzen goalkeeper Matus Kozacik was called into action after just six minutes to tip Spain winger Navas’ right-foot strike from 20 yards out over the crossbar.

But City faced a scare when Aleksandar Kolarov was shown a yellow card for handball 16 minutes in and the defender then took a risk when he fouled Milan Petrzela three minutes later, although referee Paolo Tagliavento was happy just to give a free-kick.

Joe Hart fisted away the resulting set-piece from skipper Pavel Horvath - but City responded and Dzeko should have scored when he headed straight at Kozacik after being picked out by Kolarov.

The Premier League side continued to probe as Aguero rattled the post with a shot from outside the penalty area and Kolarov fired the rebound straight at the keeper. Indeed, the visitors were unable to break the deadlock before the break.

But City were in front just two minutes into the second half and Aguero was the architect, sliding a pass into the path of striker partner Dzeko, who found the bottom-right corner with a measured left-foot finish.

Dzeko fired over the bar a few minutes later but City doubled their lead after 52 minutes in spectacular fashion when Toure bent a stunning right-foot strike into the top-right corner of the net from 25 yards out.

City were rampant and they were out of sight when Aguero turned sharply just inside the penalty area and fired home with a clinical left-foot finish.

From then on, there was no looking back as Pellegrini's side completed a very comfortable European night to give them a much-needed three points. Based on tonight's performance, City fans will expect more of the same.

                                                                                                                                          Edin Dzeko 48′ 

 

Yaya Touré 53′ 

 

Sergio Agüero 58′ 

Bayern Munich - CSKA Moscow 3-0

 Champions commence defence with win.Goals from David Alaba,Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben secured all three points at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich began the defence of their Champions League crown with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

A victory for the hosts never looked in doubt and they found themselves ahead within the opening five minutes as the talented David Alaba fired a free kick in from a central position, while Mario Mandzukic added a second with a header just before half-time.

Arjen Robben wrapped up the three points 22 minutes from time after a lovely assist by Alaba, thus securing a win in Pep Guardiola's first Champions League outing in charge of the German club.

Guardiola's men strolled to a similarly comfortable 2-0 win over Hannover at the weekend and the coach made only one change to that team as Dante replaced Daniel Van Buyten at centre-back.

The Russians also came into the game fresh from a domestic victory over Rostov, but the win came at a cost as Alan Dzagoev and Zoran Tosic both picked up injuries, meaning Aleksandrs Cauna and Steven Zuber took their respective places.

Bayern were in control from the start and they took the lead just four minutes in when Austrian Alaba steered a free kick past Igor Akinfeev from the edge of the box.

The hosts' dominance was obvious as they monopolised possession, but they struggled to break down CSKA's resolute defence.

When they did, 10 minutes from half-time, Mandzukic spurned a magnificent chance to double their lead. Rafinha crossed from the right and the forward headed the ball onto the far post before it rolled into the arms of Akinfeev.

But Mandzukic made amends three minutes before the break when Robben whipped in a fearsome free kick from the right and the Croatian forward diverted it past the helpless Akinfeev.

The visitors continued to struggle after the break and Robben could have scored a third, but his volley from inside the area was well saved.

Leonid Slutsky's men enjoyed a rare spell of possession in the hosts' half around the hour mark but they were almost punished soon after.

Mandzukic arrived in the box to meet Alaba's left-wing cross but again found Akinfeev in excellent form.

The Russian goalkeeper could do nothing to deny Bayern their third goal in the 68th minute, however.

Alaba produced a marvellous scooped pass over the CSKA defence and Robben smashed a low shot into the net.

Bayern continued to press for more in the dying stages as Robben's replacement Xherdan Shaqiri created danger on the right flank, but three goals were enough for Bayern who get their Group D campaign off to the perfect start.

4' David Alaba

41' Mario Mandzukic

68' Arjen Robben

. 

Galatasaray - Real Madrid 1-6

Ronaldo hat-trick torpedoes Turks

A supreme attacking performance from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to destroy Galatasarayin a 6-1 victory on Tuesday night.The Portugese celebrated signing a new contact with a supreme perfomance.

The Portugal international, fresh from signing a new bumper contract, scored a second-half hat-trick to seal an emphatic win, with Isco and a Karim Benzema double completing the three points.

Isco opened the scoring after controlling a perfect pass from Angel di Maria before netting his fourth goal in nine Champions League starts.

Benzema added a second early in the second half after more good work from Di Maria, the France international emphatically firing past Fernando Muslera to end the game as a contest.

Ronaldo's quick double came just before Benzema added his second from close range, while Umut Bulut added a late consolation for the visitors before Ronaldo sealed the win following a mazy run.

Five players - including Wesley Sneijder and Muslera - returned to the Galatasaray starting line-up having been rested for the draw with Antalyaspor on Friday, with Fatih Terim partnering Burak Yilmaz and Didier Drogba in attack.

Carlo Ancelotti also made changes to his side from the 2-2 draw with Villarreal, recalling experienced goalkeeper Iker Casillas while di Maria replaced Gareth Bale.

Unfortunately for Casillas, his game came to a premature end when he clashed with Sergio Ramos. The Spain goalkeeper tried to carry on but had to be replaced by Diego Lopez in the 14th minute with a back injury.

Lopez was called upon just before the half-hour mark as Melo got to a left wing cross in front of his marker. His header looked destined for the bottom corner, only for Lopez to dive to his left to keep it out.

Having dealt with a sustained period of pressure from Galatasaray, the visitors took the lead with a piece of brilliant skill from Isco. The youngster instantly controlled a long ball from Di Maria and one touch took him away from the defender before he calmly placed his shot into the back of the net off Muslera's right-hand post.

Benzema doubled the visitors lead in the 54th minute when a poor defensive header from Melo dropped to Di Maria, he played Benzema in first time and the Frenchman calmly stroked the ball past Muslera.

Ronaldo got his first goal of the night just after the hour mark as Di Maria rounded Muslera and lifted a cross to the back post for Isco. He nodded the ball back across goal to the Portuguese, who had the simple task of firing into the net from two yards.

The Madrid No.7's second was thanks to his quick reactions after more poor defending from the hosts. They failed to mark Ramos from a Bale free kick, and although the defender's header was saved by Muslera, Ronaldo latched on to the rebound and fired home.

Benzema seemed to seal an emphatic victory for Ancelotti's side with a close-range finish from a low Ronaldo cross in the 82nd minute before Bulut got Galatasaray's late consolation.

Ronaldo then collected the matchball in the closing minutes as he beat three defenders before slotting his shot beyond Muslera.

84′ Umut Bulut

Isco 33′ 

 

Karim Benzema 54′ 

 

C. Ronaldo 63′ 

 

C. Ronaldo 66′ 

 

Karim Benzema 81′ 

 

C. Ronaldo 90+1′