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Liverpool advances after 1-0 loss to CSKA Sofia

Liverpool's Fernando Morientes, top left, vies for the ball with CSKA Sofia's defender, right, Tiago Silva during their European Champions League qualifier at Anfield, Liverpool on Tuesday. CSKA Sofia defeated Liverpool 1-0. PHOTO: AFP

Defending champion Liverpool made it to the group stage of Champions League on Tuesday despite losing 1-0 to visiting CSKA Sofia, and Swiss team Thun joined the powerhouses after beating Malmo 3-0.

Also, Panathinaikos overturned a 3-1 deficit to beat Wisla Krakow 4-1 after extra time, and Austria's Rapid Vienna scored a late winner in another third round qualifying game to capture a spot in the last 32 of European soccer's most prestigious competition.

They were joined by another surprise qualifier, Artmedia Bratislava. The Slovakian champions won a penalty shootout against Partizan Belgrade after 210 minutes of scoreless soccer over two legs and extra time.

Real Betis of Spain, Norway's Rosenborg and Italy's Udinese also made it to the group stage.

Among the 16 teams already in Thursday's draw in Monte Carlo are nine-time winner Real Madrid, six-time champion AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea, Arsenal and four-time winner Bayern Munich. Eight more clubs will qualify on Wednesday.

After five straight qualifying victories and a 14-2 combined score, Liverpool was stunned at home by CSKA, which got a goal from Valentin Iliev in the 16th minute. Liverpool won the first leg 3-1 and advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

Liverpool is a five-time champion and one of Europe's most respected clubs, but few outside Switzerland have heard of Thun.

The Swiss club with no domestic titles finished second in its league last season. After beating the Swedes 4-0 on aggregate, the team is now mixing with the powerhouse clubs in what looks like the strongest field ever assembled.

Mauro Lustrinelli scored twice as Thun outplayed Malmo 3-0 at home.

Panathinaikos appeared to be going out while trailing 3-1 from the first leg and with no score after 62 minutes of the return.

But South Africa defender Nasief Morris and Poland international Emmanuel Olisadebe scored before Radoslaw Sobolewski replied for Wisla. Dimitris Papadopoulos then forced extra time with another Panathinaikos goal in the 87th.

In the 113th, Ilias Kotsios scored a fourth for Panathinaikos.

Jozef Valachovic headed in the winner in the 84th in Rapid Vienna's 1-0 victory at Lokomotiv Moscow to put the Austrian club into the group stage 2-1 on aggregate. Valachovic also scored from the penalty spot in the first leg.

Real Betis advanced 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw with Monaco. Ricardo Oliveira scored both goals for Betis, while Gerard Lopez and Toifilou Maoulida answered for Monaco.

Udinese advanced to the group stage for the first time by beating Sporting Lisbon 3-2 and 4-2 on aggregate. If Inter Milan advances on Wednesday, four Italian clubs will be in the last 32.

Rosenborg held off 1986 European champion Steaua Bucharest to win 3-2 and advance 4-3. The Norwegian champions were leading 3-0 before Steaua scored two goals in three minutes late in the match.

Mark Viduka scored twice as Middlesbrough won its first match of the season by romping to a 3-0 victory at Birmingham City on Tuesday.

The Australia striker, who has recovered from hamstring and back injuries that have troubled him for eight months, scored in the 16th and the 45th minute, before Franck Queudrue netted in the 71st. They were Boro's first goals of the season after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool and a 2-0 loss at Tottenham.

In other games, Manchester City won 2-1 at promoted Sunderland and Portsmouth and Aston Villa drew 1-1.
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