Kaka strikes twice to help Milan advance

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Brazilian leads win over Schalke Olympiakos surprises Real Madrid

LONDON— Six-time winner AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers made it to the last 16 of the Champions League yesterday, while Liverpool’s 0- 0 tie at Chelsea meant the defending champion finished top of its group.

In Group E, Brazilian star Kaka scored twice as Milan edged Germany’s Schalke 3- 2 at home while PSV, which lost to the Italian club in last season’s semifinal, qualified by beating Fenerbahce 2- 0 with goals from Phillip Cocu and Jefferson Farfan.

“ It’s a great celebration for us because we won a very difficult match and qualified from a very tough group,” Kaka said. “ I had an impressive performance, and I’m overjoyed. Now we must think of the upcoming matches.”

In Group H, Rangers, struggling in the Scottish domestic league, held Inter Milan to a 1- 1 tie in Glasgow to become the first Scottish team to reach the knockout stage of the competition since it changed format to the Champions League 13 years ago. Artmedia Bratislava tied Porto 0- 0. Although Brazilian striker Adriano headed Inter in front at Ibrox Park, Danish forward Peter Lovenkrands tied the game 9 minutes later.

It was the 10th league and cup game without a victory for Rangers, but the fact the club has reached the last 16 of the competition means that manager Alex McLeish may keep his job.

“ It is a great night for Scottish football and, more importantly, for Rangers,” said a relieved McLeish. “ We have been through troubled times, none more so than myself, and we showed character and spirit that befits this club.”

“ We will have to take stock over the next 48 hours or so,” he said. “ Let’s take a breather and see what happens.”

Already through were Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam, Inter Milan and Lyon.

Liverpool’s scoreless tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge meant that Rafa Benitez’ team finished above the English Premier League champion in the Group G standings. Anderlecht won 1- 0 at Real Betis but stayed last.

Rivaldo scored a late winner as Olympiakos, already eliminated, upset Spanish giants Real Madrid 2- 1 in Group F. The result came two days after Madrid fired Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo even though the club had already made it to the last 16 of the Champions League.

In the same group, Lyon beat Rosenborg 2-1 to finish six points clear of Madrid in the standings.

Five teams in action today already have qualified — Bayern Munich and Juventus from Group A, Arsenal and Ajax Amsterdam from Group B, and Barcelona from Group C. But all four teams from Group D are in contention with only two points separating leader Villarreal from last- place Benfica.

Villarreal hosts second-place Lille and Benfica welcomes Manchester United.

Italy’s Udinese has a great chance to join Barcelona from Group C, needing only a tie at home to the Spanish league leader to edge out Werder Bremen.