Big guns go through

Benfica thrashed Austria Vienna 3-0 in Lisbon for a 4-1 aggregate, Valencia were similarly impressive in beating another Austrian side, Salzburg 3-0 for 3-1 overall, while Hamburg advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw at Spanish side

Osasuna.

Red Star found Milan too hot to handle despite the passionate support of a 55,000 Belgrade crowd. Filippo Inzaghi headed Milan into a 29th minute lead and Clarence Seedorf made sure in the 78th before Dusan Djokic got a consolation for the hosts.

Maccabi were forced to play in Ukraine because of the security situation in Israel and Liverpool looked like the home side as they dominated the first half. They finally converted a chance in the 54th minute when England striker Peter Crouch scored with a header but Maccabi equalised nine minutes later through Argentine Roberto Colautti. Another goal for the Israelis would have taken the tie into extra time but Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina prevented it with a great late save from Colautti.

Portugal will have three teams in the group stage for the first time after Benfica joined Porto and Sporting in Thursday8217;s draw.

Rui Costa, back at the club where he began his career, opened the scoring, Nuno Gomes made it 2-0 before halftime and Armando Petit got the third in the 57th.

Italy and clubs face ban, warns FIFA

GENEVA: FIFA could ban world champions Italy and all Italian clubs from international competition if Juventus go to an administrative court to challenge the sanctions they received in the country8217;s match-fixing scandal. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said that forcing a decision before a state court would interfere with the autonomy of the soccer world and undermine the sport8217;s arbitration system. AP

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