UEFA Cup - Round of Sixteen first leg results

March 8, 2007

The first leg of the round of sixteen in the UEFA Cup occurred earlier today, with all eight games being played. Spain boasted the most teams in the competition with four (Espanyol, Celta de Vigo, Sevilla, and Osasuna), while England (Tottenham, Newcastle), Portugal (Braga, Benfica), Germany (Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen) and France (Lens, PSG) each had two teams still in the Cup. Other represented countries were Israel (Maccabi Haifa), Scotland (Rangers), Ukraine (Shakhtar Donetsk), and Netherlands (AZ Alkmaar).

Newcastle United 4 - 2 AZ Alkmaar
English side Newcastle United was visited by the Dutch AZ Alkmaar at St. James' Park. Both teams played a very disciplined match, and referee Massimo Brusca only was forced to deal out one yellow card to AZ's Steinsson. Newcastle raced out the lead with an own goal by Steinsson after 8 minutes. Kieron Dyer doubled the lead for the hosts after 22 minutes, and then Newcastle's top scorer Obafemi Martins made the game 3-0 only a minute later. AZ Finally made a reply on 31 minutes when striker Shota Arveladze scored for the visitors, but the lead would soon be restored as Martins earned himself a double on 37 minutes. Danny Koevermans scored late in the game to give AZ a crucial away goal, but the Dutch side will have to have a better defensive showing if they hope to advance in the second leg.

Maccabi Haifi 0 - 0 Espanyol
Espanyol traveled to Israel to take on Maccabai Haifi at the Kiryat-Eli'ezer Stadium. The game ended in a draw, leaving Maccabi needing only a draw in the second leg to advance to the next round.

Rangers 1 - 1 Osasuna
The Spanish team Osasuna visited Rangers at Ibrox Stadium. Osasuna scored first after 17 minutes, with Raul Garcia scoring the crucial away goal. Rangers let the game go very late before tying the match through Brahim Hemdani on 92 minutes. The tie gives Osasuna a slight advantage next game, as long as they can keep Rangers off the scoresheet.

Braga 2 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur
In a nervy game at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, Tottenham came away with a fantastic result, defeating Portuguese side Braga at their home field. All the scoring occurred in the second half, and Tottenham struck first through Robbie Keane. Steve Malbranque then doubled the lead for Spurs on 72 minutes. Braga fancied a comeback, and Paulo Jorge game them a lift on 76 minutes to cut the lead in half. Ze Carlos the tied the game for the home side after 81 minutes. All would be for naught for the homeside however, as Robbie Keane earned a brace in stoppage time to give the visitors the win.

Sevilla 2 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk
Two penalties kept this match tied, as Shaktar of the Ukraine visited current La Liga leaders Sevilla. Sevilla, who have been on a high as of late after beating Barcelona, struck first in this match with Jose Luis Marti getting the goal. Tomas Hubschman tied the game for Shaktar on 18 minutes, and the took the lead on 60 after a penalty was awarded to them by referee Viktor Kassai. The guests looked set for the win, but Sevilla earned their own penalty on 88 minutes, and Enzo Maresca converted the chance to tie the game.

Lens 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
French side Lens defeated Bayer Leverkusen of Germany at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in France. The home side scored first and Olivier Monterrubio got the goal on 17 minutes. Karim Haqui responded for the Germans after the break to tie the game at one. Lens were then awarded a penalty, and Daniel Cousin scored to give Lens the win.

Paris Saint Germain 2 - 1 Benfica
The visitors scored first in the match at the Parc des Princes in France, but PSG were not deterred by the early goal by Simao Sabrosa. Simaos compatriot Pauleta tied the game for PSG on 36 minutes, and Pierre-Alain Frau gave the homeside the lead 5 minutes later. PSG hung on to give them the advantage in the second leg of the cup series.

Celta Vigo 0 - 1 Werder Bremen
Visitors Bremen won the game thanks to an 84th minute goal by Hugo Almeida. The win gives the Bundesliga side a great chance at advancing to the quarterfinals, while Celta will have to play hard in the next leg and earn a win on the road if they hope to continue in the competition.