Lyon and Real reach last 16 of Champions League

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) Olympique Lyon and Real Madrid went through to the last 16 of the Champions League when Matchday Four was completed.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven and Valencia qualified on Tuesday and were yesterday joined by Lyon and nine-times champions Real, who scored 1-0 Group E wins over Dynamo Kiev and Steaua Bucharest respectively.

Manchester United and Celtic from Group F, and AC Milan in Group H, could also have qualified but must now wait a little longer.

Lyon stayed top of Group E with a maximum 12 points and a goal tally of 9-0 after their 1-0 home win over Dynamo Kiev, who were eliminated after a fourth successive defeat.

The only goal was scored by 18-year-old striker Karim Benzema in the first half, giving Lyon their 14th consecutive victory in all competitions.

Real are assured of at least finishing second after their win over Steaua.

Even if Steaua (3 points) were to match Real's tally of nine with wins in their last two matches, the Spanish giants would finish above them on the head-to-head record after beating the Romanians home and away.

A farcical own goal from midfielder Banel Nicolita was enough to give Real victory after he rolled the ball past goalkeeper Cornel Cernea from outside the penalty area with 20 minutes to go.

Real could have doubled their lead three minutes later but Ruud van Nistelrooy blasted a penalty wide after being brought down by Cernea.

Although Steaua and Dynamo are out of contention they may settle their battle for a UEFA Cup spot when they meet in three weeks' time in Bucharest.

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