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BAYERN BLANK RAJA CASABLANCA, CAPTURE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP CROWN

At Marrakesh, Morocco:

Dante (7') and Thiago Alcantara (22', that's him [left] celebrating) each scored a goal on Saturday as Bayern Munich won their first FIFA Club World Cup title (and their fifth trophy this calendar year) with a 2-0 blanking in the championship match against Raja Casablanca.

Getty Images photo by Chris Brunskill

In the third-place contest played earlier in the day, also at Marrakesh, Luan Madson Gedeao de Paiva (pictured here) scored the winning goal in second-half stoppage time (90'+1) as Atletico Mineiro came from behind to overtake Guangzhou Evergrande 3-2.

Photo from ESPN FC website

FIFA Club World Cup: Raja Casablanca Shock Atletico Mineiro To Get Crack At Bayern

At Marrakesh, Morocco:

Mouhcine Iajour (51'), Mouhcine Moutouali (PK-84'), and Vianney Mabide (90'+4) each scored goal in the second half on Wednesday as Raja Casablanca knocked off South American champs Atletico Mineiro of Brazil 3-1 in the semifinal round of the FIFA Club World Cup.  The Green Boys became the second club from outside Europe and South America to reach the final of this tournament.  Raja will take on Bayern Munich in Saturday's final at Marrakesh.



Earlier on Wednesday, Cesar Delgado (shown here celebrating) scored twice (22', 65') as Monterrey from Mexico, the 2012-13 CONCACAF club champions, rolled over Egypt's Al-Ahly (this year's African continental kings) 5-1 in the fifth-place game.

Photo from ESPN FC website

FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern Dominate Guangzhou Evergrande To Advance To Final

At Agadir, Morocco:

Franck Ribery (40'), Mario Mandzukic (44'), and Mario Gotze (47') each scored a goal as Bayern Munich ran roughshod over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 in Tuesday's semifinal match in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The European champs will play in Saturday's final at Marrakesh, Morocco against the winner of Wednesday's Raja Casablanca-Atletico Mineiro semifinal.

End Of Line At White Hart Lane For AVB

Doesn't matter how well your team played in Europa League group-stage action (a perfect six wins), if you get blown out at home against Liverpool, that thin ice underneath you gives way.

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: NOTRE DAME WINS FIRST NCAA SOCCER TITLE

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Andrew O'Malley headed home the winning goal in the 60th minute on Sunday as Notre Dame defeated Maryland 2-1 to win their first NCAA men's national soccer championship.

Draw For Europa League Rounds of 32 and 16: Spurs To Get Shot At Dnipro; Swans to Get Napoli

The draw for the first two rounds of the knockout stage in the Europa League took place on Monday at Nyon, Switzerland.

Round of 32:

All series open on Thursday, February 20 with the return contests to be played the following Thursday.  The game-one hosts are listed first.

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Real Betis vs. FC Rubin Kazan

Swansea City vs. Napoli

Juventus vs. Trabzonspor

NK Maribor vs. Sevilla

FC Viktoria Plzen vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk

FC Chornomorets Odessa vs. Lyon

Lazio vs. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad

Esbjerg fB vs. Fiorentina

Ajax Amsterdam vs. FC Red Bull Salzburg

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. FC Basel

FC Porto vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

FC Anzhi Makhachkala vs. KRC Genk

Dynamo Kiev vs. Valencia

PAOK FC vs. SL Benfica

FC Slovan Liberec vs. AZ Alkmaar



Round of 16:

Here are the match-ups for the round of 16 with the opening contests to take place on Thursday, March 13 and the return matches on Thursday, March 20.

The game-one hosts are listed first.

Slovan Liberec-AZ Alkmaar winner vs. Anzhi Makhachkala-KRC Genk winner

Lazio-Ludogorets Razgrad winner vs. Dynamo Kiev-Valencia winner

Porto-Eintracht Frankfurt winner vs. Swansea City-Napoli winner

Chornomorets Odessa-Lyon winner vs. Viktoria Plzen-Shakhtar Donetsk winner

Maribor-Sevilla winner vs. Real Betis-Rubin Kazan winner

Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk-Tottenham Hotspur winner vs. PAOK-Benfica winner

Maccabi Tel Aviv-Basel winner vs. Alax-Red Bull Salzburg winner

Juventus-Trabzonspor winner vs. Esbjerg-Fiorentina winner

Champions League Draw For Round of 16: Citizens vs. Barca, Legend vs. Red Devils, Rossoneri vs. Mattress Makers, Leverkusen vs. PSG, Gala vs. Chelsea, Royal Blues vs. Galacticos, Zenit vs. Dortmund, Gunners vs. Bayern

The draw for the opening round of the knocktout stage of the UEFA Champions League was conducted on Monday at Nyon, Switzerland.

Here are the pairings with the game-one hosts listed first:

Manchester City vs. FC Barcelona, with the opening match to take place on Tuesday, February 18 and the return contest at Barcelona on Wednesday, March 12.

Olympiacos vs. Manchester United, with the opening contest to take place on Tuesday, February 25 at Piraues, Greece, with the return match to be played on Wednesday, March 19 at Manchester, England.

AC Milan vs. Atletico Madrid, with the series to open on Wednesday, February 19 at Milan, Italy.  The return match is set to be played in Madrid on Tuesday, March 11.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain, with the series to open at Leverkusen, Germany on Wednesday, February 18 and the second game to be played at Paris on Wednesday, March 12.

Galatasaray vs. Chelsea, with the opening match to take place at Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, February 26 and the return contest slated to be played on Tuesday, March 18 in London.

FC Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid, with the series set to open on Wednesday, February 26 at Gelsenkirchen, Germany and the return match to be played on Tuesday, March 18 at Madrid.

Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. Borussia Dortmund, with the opening match to take place in Russia on Tuesday, February 25 and the return contest to be played at Dortmund, Germany on Wednesday, March 19.

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich, with the opening match to be played in London on Wednesday, February 19 and game to to be contested in Munich on Tuesday, March 11.

FIFA Club World Cup: Guangzhou Evergrande, Raja Casablanca Advance To Semifinals

Both games in the quarterfinal round of the FIFA Club World Cup were contested on Saturday at Agadir, Morocco.

In the opener, Elkeson (49') and Dario Conca (67') delivered the goals that carried Guangzhou Evergrande (who won this year's AFC Champions League crown) to a 2-0 victory over African continental champs Al-Ahly from Egypt.

In the nightcap, Kouko Guehi (seen here celebrating) scored the winning goal in the 95th minute as Raja Casablanca knocked off CONCACAF Champions League titleholders Monterrey 2-1 in overtime.

Photo from ESPN FC website

On Tuesday, Guangzhou Evergrande will battle reigning European champs Bayern Munich at Agadir while on Wednesday, Raja Casablanca will take on Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, winners of the Copa Libertadores crown at Marrakesh.

Timbers Qualify For CONCACAF Champions League

A  US Soccer Federation proposal in which the Major League Soccer regular-season conference champion who is not the Supporters Shield winner, instead of the MLS Cup Final loser, would become eligible for a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League was approved on Friday.

The Portland Timbers, who won the Western Conference regular-season title this past season (instead of MLS Cup Final runners-up Real Salt Lake), will take part in next season's edition of the CCL.

FIFA Club World Cup: Raja Casablanca Down Auckland City To Advance To Quarterfinals

At Agadir, Morocco:

Abdeliah Hafidi scored the winning goal in second-half stoppage time (90'+2) as Raja Casablanca defeated visiting Auckland City 2-1 in Wednesday's opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup.  The Green Boys will face Monterrey (2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League winners) in Saturday's quarterfinal match at Agadir.

Europa League: Group Stage Play Closes

24 games were played on Thursday as group-stage play in the Europa League concluded.

Group A:

At Valencia, Spain:

Francisco Alcacer's goal in the 67th minute enabled Valencia to gain a 1-1 home draw with FC Kuban Krasnodar. Lorenzo Melgarejo equalized in the 84th minute for the Russian club, who were eliminated from the tournament.

At St. Gallen, Switzerland:

Despite dropping a 1-0 decision on the road to FC St. Gallen, Swansea City still advanced to the Europa League's group stage.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Valencia (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
2. Swansea City AFC (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3. FC Kuban Krasnodar (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. FC St. Gallen (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 6)

Valencia and Swansea City advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group B:

At Zagreb, Croatia:

Roman Bezjak scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute as Ludogorets Razgrad defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 on the road.

At Eindhoven, Netherlands:

Franck Dja Djedje scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute as Chornomorets Odessa knocked off PSV Eindhoven 1-0 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage and end the hosts' adventure in European competition.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 16)
2. Chornomorets Odessa (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
3. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

Ludogorets Razgrad and Chornomorets Odessa advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group C:

At Wals-Siezenheim, Austria:

Sadio Mane scored twice (20', 63') as FC Red Bull Salzburg completed a perfect Europa League group-stage campaign---and locked up the top spot in Group C---with a 3-0 home domination of fellow Round-of-32 qualifiers Esbjerg fB.

At Liege, Belgium:

Lasse Nilsson scored twice (41', 46') as Elfsborg avoided the Group C basement with their 3-1 road win over Standard Liege.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. FC Red Bull Salzburg (GP: 6; GD: +12; PTS: 18)
2. Esbjerg fB (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 12)
3. IF Elfsborg (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
4. Standard Liege (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 1)

FC Red Bull Salzburg and Esbjerg fB advanced to the Europa League's group stage.



Group D:

At Bruges, Belgium:

Bibras Natkho (79') and Jose Salomon Rondon (85') delivered the scoring that  propelled FC Rubin Kazan to a 2-0 road win over SV Zulte Waregem.

At Maribor, Slovenia:

NK Maribor, thanks to Zeljko Filipovic's game-winning tally in the 59th minute, came from behind to upend visiting Wigan Athletic 2-1 and jumped past not only the reigning FA Cup champs but SV Zulte Waregem as well (thanks to superior goal differential) and into the Europa League's knockout stage.

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. FC Rubin Kazan (GP: 6; GD: +10; PTS: 14)
2. NK Maribor (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
3. SV Zulte Waregem (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 7)
4. Wigan Athletic FC (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

FC Rubin Kazan and NK Maribor advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group E:
At Florence, Italy:

In a battle of knockout-stage-bound clubs, Fiorentina, thanks to Juan Guillermo Cuadrado's 77th-minute game-winner, locked up the top spot in Group D with a 2-1 home win over FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

At Cluj-Napoca, Romania:

CS Pandurii Targu Jiu and visiting Pacos de Ferreira (who are having a dismal season domestically in Portugal) ended their respectively miserable Europa League campaigns with a 0-0 stalemate.

FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. Fiorentina (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 16)
2. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 12)
3. Pacos de Ferreira (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
4. CS Pandurii Targu Jiu (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 2)

Fiorentina and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk advanced to the Europa League's group stage.



Group F:

At Frankfurt am Main, Germany:

Stephan Schrock (68') and Constant Djakpa (77') delivered the goals that carried Eintracht Frankfurt to a 2-0 home win over APOEL, which knocked the visiting Cypriot club from the tournament.

At Tel Aviv, Israel:

Maccabi Tel Aviv, thanks to Eran Zahavi's successful penalty kick in the 74th minute, blanked visiting Bordeuax 1-0.  The Israeli club will be playing in the knockout stage of the Europa League, their first-ever knockout-stage appearance in a European tournament.

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Eintracht Frankfurt (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 15)
2. Maccabi Tel Aviv (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 11)
3. APOEL FC (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 5)
4. Bordeaux (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

Eintracht Frankfurt and Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group G:

At Kiev, Ukraine:

Oleh Husyev scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 28th minute as Dynamo Kiev clinched a berth in the knockout stage by holding off, and eliminating, visiting Rapid Vienna 3-1.

At Thun, Switzerland:

KRC Genk coach Mario Been celebrated his 50th birthday as his team, with Jelle Vossen scoring the game's lone goal in the 31st minute, blanked FC Thun 1-0 on the road.

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. KRC Genk (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 14)
2. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. Rapid Vienna (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. FC Thun (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

KRC Genk and Dynamo Kiev advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group H:

At Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany:

Vicente Iborra (40') and Raul Rusescu (90'+4) provided the scoring as Sevilla secured top spot in Group H by defeating SC Freiburg 2-0 on the road and eliminating the German club from the tournament.

At Estoril, Portugal:

Michael Rabusic scored the winning goal in the 70th minute as Slovan Liberec locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 2-1 road win over Estoril.

FINAL GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. Sevilla (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2. FC Slovan Liberec (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. SC Freiburg (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. GD Estoril Praia (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 3)

Sevilla and FC Slovan Liberec advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.
Group I:

At Seville, Spain:

Real Betis settled for a 0-0 stalemate with visiting HNK Rijeka en route to the Europa League's knockout stage.

At Guimaraes, Portugal:

Bafetimbi Gomes (PK-62') and Jordan Ferri (65') each scored a goal three minutes apart shortly after the one-hour mark as Lyon laid claim to top spot in Group I after their 2-1 road win over Vitoria de Guimaraes, ending the Portuguese club's European adventure.

FINAL GROUP I STANDINGS:

1. Lyon (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Real Betis (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Vitoria de Guimaraes (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
4. HNK Rijeka (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Lyon and Real Betis advanced to the Europa League's knockout stage.



Group J:

At Nicosia, Cyprus:

Tomasz Judlowiec (8') and Tomasz Brzyski (63') delivered the goals as Legia Warsaw collected their first----and only----points of Europa League group-stage play, a 2-0 road shutout over Apollon Limassol.

At Rome:

In a battle of Group J's two entrants into the knockout stage, Trabzonspor laid claim to the top spot by holding hosts Lazio to a 0-0 deadlock.

FINAL GROUP J STANDINGS:

1. Trabzonspor (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 14)
2. Lazio (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
3. Apollon Limassol (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
4. Legia Warsaw (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

Trabzonspor and Lazio advanced to the Europa League's group stage.



Group K:

At Tiraspol, Moldova:

Cadu (4') and Ismail Isa (36') each scored once as FC Sheriff Tiraspol closed out their stay in the Europa League by blanking visiting Tromso IL 2-0.

At London:

Tottenham Hotspur finished off a perfect group-stage run by dominating visiting (and fellow knockout-stage qualifiers) FC Anzhi Makhachkala 4-1, as Roberto Soldado delivered a hat trick (7', 16', PK-70') for Spurs.

FINAL GROUP K STANDINGS:

1. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 6; GD: +13; PTS: 18)
2. FC Anzhi Makhachkala (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
3. FC Sheriff Tiraspol (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. Tromso IL (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Tottenham Hotspur and FC Anzhi Makhachkala advanced to the Europa League's group stage.

Group L:

At Thessaloniki, Greece:

In a battle of the group's two knockout stage entrants, Lucas Perez Martinez (PK-37') and Stelios Pozoglou (90'+4) delivered the goals as PAOK FC salvaged a 2-2 home draw with AZ Alkmaar.  Thomas Lam (31') and Donny Gorter (PK-71') delivered the scoring for the Dutch club, who won Group L due by outscoring the Greek club on away goals in head-to-head play (2-1).

At Haifa, Israel:

Shoval Gozlan (72') and Shimon Abuhatzira (80') provided the scoring as Maccabi Haifa avoided the Group L basement by coming from behind to defeat visiting Shakhter Karagandy 2-1.

FINAL GROUP L STANDINGS:

1. AZ Alkmaar (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. PAOK FC (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
3. Maccabi Haifa FC (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4. FC Shakhter Karagandy (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

AZ Alkmaar and PAOK FC advanced to the Europa League's group stage.

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Scoreless Home Deadlock Good Enough For Rossoneri To Advance; Neymar Helps Barca Demolish Bhoys

At group-stage play in the UEFA Champions League came to a close on Wednesday, two matches took place in Group H.

At Milan, Italy:

Despite being held to a 0-0 home stalemate by Ajax Amsterdam (as well as being reduced to ten men, as Riccardo Montolivo was ejected via the red card, as shown here), AC Milan advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage, the only Italian club to do so.

At Barcelona:

Neymar delivered a natural hat trick (45', 48' [shown here], 58') as Barcelona demolished visiting Celtic 6-1 and clinched the top spot in Group H.

Photos from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. FC Barcelona (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 13) 
2. AC Milan (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
4. Celtic FC (GP: 6; GD: -11; PTS: 3)

FC Barcelona and AC Milan advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while Ajax Amsterdam qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Zenit Advance To Knockout Stage Despite Being Dominated By Violets In Vienna; Dragons Consigned To Europa League Round of 32 After Falling To Mattress Makers

Two games were played in Group G on Wednesday as UEFA Champions League group-stage action came to a close.

At Vienna, Austria:

Philipp Hosiner scored twice (44', 51') as Austria Vienna managed their first---and only---victory in the Champions League's group stage with a 4-1 home domination of Zenit Saint Petersburg, who still managed to advance to the knockout stage thanks to FC Porto's defeat at Atletico Madrid's hands.  Here are the happy Violets after Philipp's first goal as the hosts played by far their best game in Group G.
At Madrid:

Raul Garcia (14') and Diego Costa (37', that's him celebrating) provided the scoring as Atletico Madrid---already bound for the Champions League's group stage---condemned visiting FC Porto to the Europa League's Round of 32 by shutting out the Dragons 2-0.

Photos from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. Atletico Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +12; PTS: 16)
2. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 6)
3. FC Porto (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4. Austria Vienna (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 5)

Atletico Madrid and Zenit Saint Petersburg advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while FC Porto qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group F: Borussia Dortmund, Gunners Advance To Knockout Stage

Two games were played on Wednesday, the final day of action from the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

At Marseilles, France:

Kevin Grosskreutz scored the winning goal in the 87th minute as Borussia Dortmund laid claim to the Group F title and a Champions League knockout-stage berth with their 2-1 come-from-behind win at ten-man Marseille.  Here are the happy Dortmund players celebrating after their victory that carried them into the Round of 16.

Reuters photo

At Naples, Italy:

Despite being reduced to ten men and losing 2-0 on the road to Napoli, Arsenal still advanced to the knockout stage while the Light Blues had to settle for Europa League Round-of-32 action.  Napoli's goals came from Gonzalo Higuain (73', shown here) and Jose Maria Callejon (90'+3).

Photo from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Borussia Dortmund (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2. Arsenal (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
3. Napoli (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 12)
4. Marseille (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group E: Schalke Leapfrog Basel Into Knockout Stage; Chelsea Win Group After Dull Win Over Steaua

Two games were played in Group E on Wednesday as UEFA Champions League group-stage action concluded.

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:

Julian Draxler (50') and Joel Matip (57') each scored a second-half goal as Schalke defeated visiting FC Basel 2-0 to leapfrog their Swiss guests and advance to the Champions League's knockout stage.  Here, we see Royal Blues coach Jens Keller celebrating with Adam Szalai and the aforementioned Julian Draxler.

Reuters photo

At London:

Demba Ba's early goal in the 10th minute (shown here) held up as Chelsea clinched top spot in Group E with a 1-0 home win over Steaua Bucharest.

Photo from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. Chelsea (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 12)
2. FC Schalke 04 (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
3. FC Basel (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 3)

Chelsea and FC Schalke advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while FC Basel qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Gala Knock Off Juve In Conclusion Of Suspended Game, Advance To Knockout Stage

At Istanbul, Turkey:



Wesley Sneijder (that's him celebrating) scored the only goal of the match in the 85th minute on Wednesday as Galatasaray defeated visiting Juventus 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League's Group B finale and advanced to the knockout stage.  Eight other games were played on Wednesday as the tournament's group stage came to a conclusion.  This match had been suspended after 31 minutes on Tuesday due to snow.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Real Madrid (GP: 6; GD: +15; PTS: 16)
2. Galatasaray (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 7)
3. Juventus (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. FC Copenhagen (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 4)

Real Madrid and Galatasaray advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while Juventus qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Citizens Erase Two-Goal Deficit To Shock Bayern; Plzen Top Horses To Reach Round Of 32 Of Europa League

Action from Group D of the UEFA Champions League  concluded on Tuesday with two games.

At Munich, Germany:
David Silva (28'), Aleksandar Kolarov (PK-59'), and James Milner (62', that's him celebrating) each scored a goal as Manchester City came from two goals down to upend home-standing Bayern Munich 3-2.

At Plzen, Czech Republic:
Tomas Wagner scored the winning goal in the 90th minute as FC Viktoria Plzen, a number of whose happy players are shown here celebrating, defeated visting CSKA Moscow 2-1 and laid claim to a Europa League knockout-stage berth.

Photos from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:
1. Bayern Munich (GP: 6; GD: +12; PTS: 15)
2. Manchester City (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 15)
3. FC Viktoria Plzen (GP: 6; GD: -11; PTS: 3)
4. CSKA Moscow (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 3)

Bayern Munich and Manchester City advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while FC Viktoria Plzen, because of a 2-1 advantage in away goals in their two game against CSKA Moscow, gained a berth in the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Olympiacos To Join PSG In UCL Knockout Stage; Eagles To Europa League

Two games were played on Tuesday as Group C action in the UEFA Champions League came to a close.

At Lisbon, Portugal:
Goals from Rodrigo Jose Lima dos Santos (PK-45', shown here) and Nicolas Gaitan (58') enabled SL Benfica to come from behind to top visiting Paris Saint-Germain.  The win wasn't enough, though, for the Eagles as Olympiacos' victory over Anderlecht consigned the Portugese club to the Europa League's knockout stage.

At Piraeus, Greece:
Javier Saviola scored twice (33', 58', that's him) against his former team as Olympiacos laid claim to a Champions League knockout-stage berth with a 3-1 home win over RSC Anderlecth.

Photos from ESPN FC website

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Paris Saint-Germian (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 13)
2. Olympiacos (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. SL Benfica (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS; 10)
4. RSC Anderlecht (GP: 6; GD: -13; PTS: 1)

Paris Saint-Germain and Olympiacos advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while SL Benfica qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Galacticos Blank Lions In Copenhagen; Gala-Juve Match Suspended Due To Snow, Will Continue On Wednesday

Group B play in the UEFA Champions League concluded on Tuesday with two games.

At Istanbul, Turkey:
The match between Galatasaray and visiting Juventus was suspended after 31 minutes due to snow and will resume on Wednesday from the point of the stoppage of play with the score deadlocked at 0-0, with both clubs still alive in the race for a berth in the knockout stage.  Here's Didier Drogba and his Gala teammates in the snow after play was suspended.

Reuters photo

At Copenhagen, Denmark:
Luka Modric (25', that's him celebrating with teammates) and Cristiano Ronaldo (48') each scored a goal as Real Madrid blanked FC Copenhagen 2-0 on the road.

Photo from ESPN FC website

GROUP B STANDINGS:
1. Real Madrid (GP: 6; +15; PTS: 16)
2. Juventus (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. Galatasaray (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
4. FC Copenhagen (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 4)

Real Madrid advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League and will be joined in the Round of 16 by the winner of the suspended match between Juventus (who need only a draw) and Galatasaray (who must win the game).  Either Galatasaray or FC Copenhagen will play in the Round of 32 of the Europa League.

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Red Devils Win Group; Leverkusen Join Knockout Stage, Too

The final week of group-stage play in the UEFA Champions League commenced on Tuesday with eight games, two of them being contested in Group A.

At Manchester, England:
Phil Jones (that's him here) scored the only goal of the match in the 67th minute as Manchester United locked up the Group A crown with a 1-0 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk.  The Ukrainian club was consigned to the knockout stage of the Europa League as their defeat was combined with Bayer Leverkusen's road win over Real Sociedad.

At San Sebastian, Spain:
Omer Toprak (that's him celebrating) scored the game's lone goal in the 49th minute as Bayer Leverkusen, by beating already-elminated Real Sociedad 1-0 on the road, jumped Shakhtar Donetsk and locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage.

Reuters photos

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:
1. Manchester United (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 14)
2. Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
4. Real Sociedad (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen advanced to the Champions League's knockout stage while Shaktar Donetsk qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League.

SKC WIN PK THRILLER OVER RSL FOR FIRST MLS CUP TITLE SINCE 2000

At Kansas City, Kansas:

After a contest that was deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time, followed by 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Claudio Bieler, Paulo Magamura, Benny Feilhaber, Seth Sinovic, C.J. Sapong, Chance Myers, and, with the game winner, Aurelien Collin (who scored the game-tying goal in the 76th minute and was named game Most Valuable Player) all converted their spot kicks as  Sporting Kansas City won their first Major League Soccer championship since 2000 by winning the longest penalty-kick shootout in league history, 7-6 in ten rounds over visiting Real Salt Lake on Saturday.  Lovel Palmer had a chance to tie the shootout and force an eleventh round, but his shot bounced off the crossbar.

World Cup Draw: No Easy Task For Team USA

The draw for the group stage in next year's World Cup took place on Friday at Costa do Sauipe, Brazil.

GROUP A:

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

Thursday, June 12:

Brazil vs. Croatia at Sao Paulo

Friday, June 13:

Mexico vs. Cameroon at Natal

Tuesday, June 17:

Brazil vs. Mexico at Fortaleza

Wednesday, June 18:

Cameroon vs. Croatia at Manaus

Monday, June 23:

Cameroon vs. Brazil at Brasilia

Croatia vs. Mexico at Racife



GROUP B:

Spain

Netherlands

Chile 

Australia

Friday, June 13:

Spain vs. Netherlands at Salvador

Chile vs. Australia at Cuiaba

Wednesday, June 18:

Spain vs. Chile at Rio de Janeiro 

Australia vs. Netherlands at Porto Alegre

Monday, June 23:

Australia vs. Spain at Curitiba

Netherlands vs. Chile at Sao Paulo



GROUP C:

Colombia

Greece

Ivory Coast 

Japan

Saturday, June 14:

Colombia vs. Greece at Belo Horizonte

Ivory Coast vs. Japan at Recife

Thursday, June 19:

Colombia vs. Ivory Coast at Brasilia

Japan vs. Greece at Natal

Tuesday, June 24:

Japan vs. Colombia at Cuiaba

Greece vs. Ivory Coast at Fortaleza



GROUP D:

Uruguay

Costa Rica

England

Italy

Saturday, June 14:

Uruguay vs. Costa Rica at Fortaleza

England vs. Italy at Manaus

Thursday, June 19:

Uruguay vs. England at Sao Paulo

Friday, June 20:

Italy vs. Costa Rica at Recife

Tuesday, June 24:

Italy vs. Uruguay at Natal

Costa Rica vs. England at Belo Horizonte



GROUP E:

Switzerland

Ecuador

France

Honduras

Sunday, June 15:

Switzerland vs. Ecuador at Brasilia

France vs. Honduras at Porto Alegre

Friday, June 20:

Switzerland vs. France at Salvador

Honduras vs. Ecuador at Curitiba 

Wednesday, June 25:

Honduras vs. Switzerland at Manaus

Ecuador vs. France at Rio de Janeiro



GROUP F:

Argentina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Iran

Nigeria

Sunday, June 15:

Argentina vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at Rio de Janeiro

Monday, June 16:

Iran vs. Nigeria at Curitiba

Saturday, June 21:

Argentina vs. Iran at Belo Horizonte

Nigeria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cuiaba

Wednesday, June 25:

Nigeria vs. Argentina at Porto Alegre

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran at Salvador



GROUP G:

Germany

Portugal

Ghana

United States

Monday, June 16:

Germany vs. Portugal at Salvador

Ghana vs. United States at Natal

Saturday, June 21:

Germany vs. Ghana at Fortaleza

Sunday, June 22:

United States vs. Portugal at Manaus

Thursday, June 26:

United States vs. Germany at Recife

Portugal vs. Ghana at Brasilia



GROUP H:

Belgium

Algeria

Russia

South Korea

Tuesday, June 17:

Belgium vs. Algeria at Belo Horizonte

Russia vs. South Korea at Cuiaba

Sunday, June 22:

Belgium vs. Russia at Rio de Janeiro

South Korea vs. Algeria at Porto Alegre

Thursday, June 26:

South Korea vs. Belgium at Sao Paulo

Algeria vs. Russia at Curitiba

The top two teams in each group would advance to the knockout stage.

ROUND OF 16:

Saturday, June 28:

Winner of Group A vs. Group B runner-up at Belo Horizonte

Winner of Group C vs. Group D runner-up at Rio de Janeiro

Sunday, June 29:

Winner of Group B vs. Group A runner-up at Fortaleza

Winner of Group D vs. Group C runner-up at Recife

Monday, June 30:

Winner of Group E vs. Group F runner-up at Brasilia

Winner of Group G vs. Group H runner-up at Porto Alegre

Tuesday, July 1:

Winner of Group F vs. Group E runner-up at Sao Paulo

Winner of Group H vs. Group G runner-up at Salvador

QUARTERFINAL ROUND:

Two games would be played on Friday, July 4, one at Fortaleza, the other at Rio de Janeiro, while two more contests will take place the following day, one at Salvador and the other at Brasilia.

SEMIFINAL ROUND:

One game will take place on Tuesday, July 8 at Belo Horizonte with the other semifinal to take place the next day at Sao Paulo.

THIRD-PLACE GAME:

On Saturday, July 12 at Brasilia

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

Sunday, July 13 at Rio de Janeiro