Sports Videos Online

Liverpool's second friendly

BENAYOUN BRILLIANCE WINS IT FOR REDS Liverpool have kicked-off their pre-season programme with a well deserved 1-0 success over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton more...Park. Rafael Benitez's men were full value for their victory in a largely one-sided contest which was decided by a moment of Yossi Benayoun brilliance just before half-time. Liverpool will doubtless face tougher tests as their warm-up programme moves into Switzerland over the next week, but Benitez could have asked for little more from his team's first outing of the campaign in front of a sell-out crowd on the Wirral. To add to Rafa's delight, Daniel Agger made a successful return to first team duty after an injury plagued year while Daniel Pacheco offered a tantalising glimpse into the future with a fine display on his debut appearance.

Match-winner Fernando Torres said Spain deserved to win Euro 2008 because they played the best football. Torres struck in the first half as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in Vienna to win their first major trophy for 44 years and Torres's first trophy of any kind. The Liverpool striker said: "I feel a tremendous joy. It still hasn't sunk in what we've achieved with this victory. "The team that played the best football at Euro 2008 won the title and we have a place in European football history." He added: "It's just a dream come true. This is my first title and I hope it's the first of many. "Victory in a Euro, it is almost as big as a World Cup. We are used to watching finals on television, but today we were here and we won. "My job is to score goals. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world."

Luis Aragones and Cesc Fabregas say Spain have been spurred on by a desire to prove critics wrong at Euro 2008. The Spaniards beat Russia 3-0 on Thursday to reach their first major final in 24 years - against Germany. Coach Aragones said: "The criticism has taught me a lot, except when I was insulted. It has stimulated me and encouraged me to do things better." Midfielder Fabregas added: "There are always doubts. Nobody was expecting us to be where we are now." Aragones, 69, has been a controversial figure as Spain coach but now stands one game away from emulating José Villalonga, who led Spain to their sole tournament success by winning the 1964 European Championship.

Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a dour goalless draw in Vienna. Marcos Senna came closest in normal time when Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon fumbled his shot on to a post. Spain keeper Iker Casillas was the hero in the shoot-out, saving from Daniele de Rossi and Antonio di Natale. Daniel Guiza saw his spot-kick saved by Buffon, but Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas slid home the crucial penalty to set up a last four clash with Russia.

Spain made it three wins out of three at Euro 2008 as Greece bowed out of the tournament with defeat in Salzburg. Defending champions Greece took the lead when Angelos Charisteas headed home a Giorgios Karagounis free-kick. Spain levelled when Ruben De la Red thundered a shot in off the underside of the crossbar. And the Spanish kept up their 100% record when Daniel Guiza headed in a late winner from a Sergio Garcia cross to continue Greece's misery. Greece had looked like they might salvage some pride from a disappointing defence of their trophy, but Guiza's goal in the 88th minute means they go home pointless. Euro 2008 quarter-final line-up

Spain booked a Euro 2008 quarter-final spot after David Villa's last-gasp goal sank Sweden and Russia beat Greece. Spain took the lead on 15 minutes with a clever move that ended with Fernando Torres poking home David Silva's cross. But Sweden responded well and levelled when Zlatan Ibrahimovic met Fredrick Stoor's cross on 34 minutes. Spain, who could have had a penalty when Johan Elmander barged Silva, were frustrated by Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson before Villa's neat finish. Spain were far less stylish than they had been in despatching Russia in their opening match. But Villa's goal, his fourth of the tournament, was still enough to put his side into the quarter-finals. Spain will also top Group D and avoid the in-form Netherlands in the last eight. As against Russia, they again showed neat touches in the early stages with some quick passing helping them to outmanoeuvre the hard-working Swedes. But Lars Lagerback's side were not as easy to break down and it took a move of real ingenuity to put Spain ahead.

David Villa scored the first hat-trick of Euro 2008 as Spain lived up to their pre-tournament billing with a fine victory over Russia in Group D. Russia started positively but were hit on the counter-attack, with Fernando Torres squaring for Villa to roll home. Konstantin Zyryanov saw a shot hit the post but then Villa prodded past Igor Akinfeyev to double the lead and after 74 minutes he drilled in a third. Roman Pavlyuchenko nodded a consolation before Cesc Fabregas headed a fourth. Spain wasted a number of openings to win by an even bigger margin and the standard of their performance would suggest a place in the quarter-finals is well within reach. In Villa and Torres they appear to possess a forward partnership to match any at the tournament and the array of creative midfielders at Luis Aragones's disposal should ensure a regular supply line. Russia's Guus Hiddink has advanced to the knockout rounds at every major international competition he has coached at but the Dutchman has a task on his hands just to patch up a porous defence, let alone progress to the last eight

Riise cost us the game in the first leg, but boy were we so close to knowcking the nancy boys out

Goals from Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres secured a comfortable victory for Liverpool over Tottenham in a lack-lustre affair at White Hart Lane. Voronin opened the scoring midway through the second-half slipping the ball past Radek Cerny after latching onto Torres' flick-on. Torres then made it 2-0 with a superb individual effort, his 24th league goal of his debut Liverpool season. The Spaniard also hit the crossbar with a fine chip late on. Although both teams had little to play for, Liverpool being secure in fourth place and Tottenham stuck in mid-table, entertainment was in short supply early on. The visitors shaded a poor first 45 minutes, dominating possession with Tottenham struggling to get out of their half.

Fernando Torres took his tally to 32 goals for the season as Liverpool eased to a win over Manchester City. Torres left Richard Dunne trailing and angled in a shot to put the Reds ahead just after Martin Petrov's free-kick hit the post at the other end. The Reds had chances to wrap up the game but Dirk Kuyt's header struck the crossbar and Ryan Babel skied a shot. City rarely threatened but almost punished the home side only for Pepe Reina to save Benjani's late free-kick.

Birmingham let a two-goal lead slip against Liverpool as they were denied a crucial win in their relegation battle. Mikael Forssell lashed in a shot at the far post to put the Blues ahead, with Sebastian Larsson's exquisite long range free-kick adding to their lead. But Peter Crouch guided in a shot to haul the Reds back into the game. And as Liverpool penned the Blues back, Yossi Benayoun equalised with a deflected header, which all-but secures fourth spot for the Anfield side. The point moves them nine ahead of fifth-placed Everton, who have three games left but an inferior goal difference. Liverpool made nine changes to the team which drew 1-1 with Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek, although there was only one change from the second string side which beat Fulham last week. There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the early stages but Birmingham slowly increased their level of urgency.

John Arne Riise's injury-time own goal gave Chelsea the advantage in their Champions League semi-final. Dirk Kuyt's close-range finish three minutes before the interval looked to have secured Liverpool a slender lead. And it took fine saves from Petr Cech to deny Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres as Liverpool threatened to put the tie out of Chelsea's reach. But Riise headed in Salomon Kalou's cross five minutes into injury time to give Chelsea a priceless away goal.

Goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch saw Liverpool put a major dent in Fulham's survival hopes. Pennant gave the Reds the lead against the run of play when he was put through by Lucas Leiva and he took Kasey Keller by surprise with a powerful early shot. He then turned provider to set up Crouch to score with a low drive. Fulham were restricted to mostly half chances, with midfielder Danny Murphy going closest with a shot denied by Pepe Reina's legs. Victory strengthened Liverpool's grip on fourth place - they are now eight points clear of Everton with three games left - but Fulham are five points adrift of safety and staring relegation in the face. Reds manager Rafael Benitez caused a storm a year ago by naming a weakened side that lost at Craven Cottage and went a long way to keeping Fulham in the top flight. With a Champions League semi-final again occupying his mind, he made eight changes.

Fernando Torres scored his 30th goal of the season as Liverpool outfought Blackburn to strengthen their grip on fourth place in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard, who had a penalty appeal turned down after he was clipped by Brad Friedel, broke the deadlock with a cool finish in the second half. Torres met Gerrard's deep cross with a precise header to make it 2-0 before Andrei Voronin slid home a third. Roque Santa Cruz hooked in a late reply for Blackburn, who were well beaten.

Liverpool set up another Champions League semi-final with Chelsea after a stunning late win over Arsenal. Abou Diaby put Arsenal into an early lead but Sami Hyypia lost Phillipe Senderos to head an equaliser. Fernando Torres looked to have settled it when he scored in the top corner, but a superb Theo Walcott run allowed Emmanuel Adebayor to tap in for Arsenal But Kolo Toure fouled Ryan Babel and Gerrard held his nerve from the spot, before Babel broke to add a fourth.

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes took another huge blow as they were held at home by Liverpool. The Gunners made a lethargic start and fell behind to Peter Crouch's powerful finish into the bottom corner. Nicklas Bendtner levelled when he met a Cesc Fabregas free-kick and powered his header past Pepe Reina. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urged his side forward looking for a winner but Andrei Voronin wasted two good chances to give Liverpool victory late on.

Liverpool have the advantage after holding Arsenal to a draw in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg at The Emirates. Emmanuel Adebayor headed Arsenal in front in powerful fashion from Robin van Persie's cross after 23 minutes. Arsenal's lead lasted only three minutes before Steven Gerrard set up Dirk Kuyt to score from close range. The Gunners had a clear penalty appeal turned down after the break when Kuyt hauled back Alexander Hleb in the area.

Liverpool strengthened their grip on fourth place after Fernando Torres' 28th goal of the season gave them victory in the Merseyside derby. The Spaniard expertly slotted the ball beyond Tim Howard for the only goal of the game after just seven minutes. With Yakubu deployed as a lone striker Everton created very little, while Liverpool spurned several chances. A rasping Steven Gerrard volley hit the post, while Everton's best chance fell to Leon Osman who headed wide.