Arsenal 1 - Manchester United 3 Champions League semi-final second-leg, May 5, 2009 United killed the tie inside 10 minutes. A terrible slip by Kieron Gibbs allowed a Ronaldo cross to reach Park Ji-Sung after 6 minutes and the South Korean made no mistake beating Almunia. Minutes later Cristiano Ronaldo silenced the Emirates with a stunning free-kick that left Almunia grabbing a fresh air. Wayne Rooney forced a finger-tip save from Almunia as United looked for a third.Almunia made another terrific save to deny Ronaldo at the start of the second half. On the hour mark United scored a brilliant third. Breaking out of defence from a corner, Ronaldo started a lightening move which Rooney carried up-field, the number 10 returning the ball back into Ronaldo's path with the Portuguese forward coolly finding the net. 15 minutes from time United's night soured, Darren Fletcher was sent off for a foul on Fabregas in the box, with Robin van Persie scoring a superb penalty.
Dynamo Kiev 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 1 UEFA Cup semi-final first leg, April 30, 2009 Dynamo Kiev drew first blood in the all Ukranian semi-final, midway through the first half an Aliev free-kick was diverted into his own net by Dmytro Chygyinsky. Shakhtar grabbed a crucial away goal midway through the second period thanks to Fernandinho who slid home from close range.
Manchester United 1 - Arsenal 0 Champions League semi-final first-leg, April 29, 2009 The hosts started with a high tempo, Ronaldo flashing a cross across the Arsenal box in the early exchanges. Manuel Almunia made a stunning point-blank save to deny Carlos Tevez, and moments later United's pressure paid dividends with John O'Shea arriving in the box to smash home the opener 17 minutes in. Almunia came to the Gunners' rescue midway through the half when the Spanish keeper saved brilliantly to deny a Ronaldo header. Arsenal barely tested Van der Sar in the first half, Cesc Fabregas trying his luck from 20-yards out without success. As Adebayor flashed a shot over the bar for Arsenal midway through the second half, Ronaldo came within inches of adding a second only to see his dipping strike crash against the bar.
Barcelona 0 - Chelsea 0 Champions League semi-final first-leg, April 28, 2009 Guus Hiddink's Chelsea side stifled Barcelona during the first half (highlights here) at the Nou Camp, Drogba went the closest after a Marquez error with Valdes saving well. Barca continued to dominate in the second half but the side in yellow defended resolutely in front of a solid Petr Cech with Eto'o and substitue Krkic spurning the best chances for the home side.
Villarreal 2 - Recreativo Huelva 1 La Liga, April 23, 2009 The Yellow Submarine's defence were caught out inside 60 seconds, failing to clear their lines with Javier Camunas sliding home the opener. But Recre could not hold out until the break, Joseba Llorente collecting a ball over the top and chipping the keeper with a superb lob. Villarreal turned the game around in the 66th minute, Cani picked up the ball on the right hand side of the box, beat a denfender and then lifted the ball over the keeper with a delicate chip (over the line?) into the near post.