Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at defending champion Barcelona on Wednesday while runaway Italian leader Inter Milan was held 2-2 by another Spanish club, Valencia, in the European Champions League.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea held his former club, FC Porto, to a 1-1 draw, and Lyon -- on course for a sixth consecutive French league title -- was held 0-0 at AS Roma.
In a matchup of the last two winners of European soccer's most prestigious competition, Craig Bellamy scored one goal and set up the second for John Arne Riise at Barcelona's Camp Nou after Deco had given the home team a 14th-minute lead.
PHOTO: AP
The goals for Bellamy and Riise came less than a week after reports that the Welsh striker hit the Norwegian defender on the legs with a golf club after a drinking binge at a Portuguese hotel.
Barcelona went ahead after some trademark footwork by Ronaldinho released Gianluca Zambrotta down the left. The Italian raced past a defender and crossed from the left for Deco to arrive unmarked and head inside the far post.
Bellamy equalized two minutes before halftime when Liverpool earned a free kick and the Welsh striker eluded his markers to head Steve Finnan's cross goalward. Goalkeeper Victor Valdes didn't stop the ball until it had crossed the line.
Bellamy celebrated his goal with an imaginary golf swing.
"I take the rough with the smooth. I know what my career's about," Bellamy said in reference to last weekend's headlines. "Because it's me it's an even bigger deal. If there was a big problem, I wouldn't be playing here."
Liverpool moved ahead in the 74th when Valdes blocked a close-range shot from Kuyt and, as the rebound dropped loose, Bellamy played a sideways pass to Riise, who hammered it into the roof of the net with his weaker right foot.
"It's clear we have a good chance now [of advancing], but as I said before we have to be careful because Barcelona is very good at playing at counterattack and have very dangerous players," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard admitted it would be difficult to beat Liverpool in the return leg at Anfield on March 6.
"This is a disappointment but it can happen. It's football," he said. "We played against Liverpool. They did a great job. We have one more game. I think our situation is complicated because they're very strong and in their own stadium. But I think we have to keep on working and go for our chances."
Rijkaard was uncertain if he would have striker Samuel Eto'o back from his long injury layoff.
"I really don't know," he said. "I hope so."
Mourinho returned to the club he guided to the Champions League title two seasons ago. He also led the Portuguese side to the UEFA Cup and two domestic league titles.
Raul Meireles volleyed Porto ahead in the 12th minute while Chelsea captain John Terry was off the field getting treatment for a calf muscle injury.
Andriy Shevchenko equalized four minutes later when he took a pass from Arjen Robben and raced clear of the Porto defense to score.
"I'm satisfied with the result. We had to cope with a series of setbacks," he said in reference to injuries to Terry and winger Robben. "We didn't have any central defender on the subs' bench. I'm worried about these injuries that keep occurring."
Inter led twice at home before Valencia rallied. Esteban Cambiasso scored in the 29th minute only for David Villa to equalize in the 64th. Brazilian Maicon restored the lead in the 76th but David Silva earned a valuable draw with a second equalizer with three minutes remaining.
Lyon's Juninho hit the post off a deflected shot in the eighth minute in Rome and English referee Mike Riley handed out 11 yellow cards, eight of then to AS Roma.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely