Figo takes Real into knockouts

Luis Figo scored twice as Real Madrid eased their way into the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 win over AS Rom...

Luis Figo scored twice as Real Madrid eased their way into the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 win over AS Roma in their final Group B match on Wednesday. Real knew they had to win against the Italians to be assured of a place in the next round and never looked back after Ronaldo put them ahead in the ninth minute. 8220;It was important to get that early goal because otherwise it could have become very tense and complicated,8221; said the Brazilian. 8220;After we got the goal we were able to take control of thegame and it was much easier,8221; he added. Apart from a scare when Roma8217;s French midfielder Vincent Candela hit the top of the post with a free-kick in the 31st minute, the nine-times European Cup winners had little trouble against a weak Roma.

Real go through with Germans Bayer Leverkusen who beat Dynamo Kiev 3-0 to force the Ukrainians into third place and the UEFA Cup.

Gerrard stars for Liverpool

LIVERPOOL: Steven Gerrard8217;s stunning late goal capped a remarkable Liverpool comeback as they beat Olympiakos Pireaus 3-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knockout stages. The four-time European champions were set the tough task of scoring three times at Anfield after Brazilian Rivaldo had fired a free kick through their badly organised wall in the 27th minute. But goals from substitutes Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor set up a dramatic finale before England midfielder Gerrard8217;s fierce strike sealed their progress.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had probably feared the worst when Milan Baros and Gerrard had goals disallowed and Mellor was denied a penalty.

But the spirit of his side, led with passion by local boy Gerrard, saw them through against an Olympiakos side that had not won in 24 away games in the Champions League. 8212; Reuters

THE QUALIFIERS
England: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool
Italy: AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Germany: Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen
France: Olympique Lyon, AS Monaco
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid
Portugal: FC Porto
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven

THE SCHEDULE
1st round knockout
1st leg: February 22-23; 2nd leg: March 8-9
Quarter-finals
1st leg: April 5-6; 2nd leg: April 12-13
Semi-finals
1st leg: April 26-27; 2nd leg: May 3-4
Final: May 25, Istanbul