Defender heads Rangers to late win

A LATE goal from Sotirios Kyrgiakos gave Rangers a 3- 2 win over Porto last night in Group H of the Champions League.

With just five minutes left, the Greek defender rose to fl ick a header in off the righthand post after being picked out by a 40-yard Barry Ferguson pass.

Danish winger Peter Lovenkrands had given the Scottish champions a fi rsthalf lead but Pepe equalised two minutes into the second half.

Dado Prso, Rangers’ Croatian striker, regained the lead with a scrappy goal on the hour before Pepe again equalised, with a fortuitous effort that bounced off his chest.

Rangers refused to be bowed and Kyrgiakos secured a fi ne victory.

Inter Milan

earned a hardfought 1-0 win at Artmedia Bratislava in the other Group H game. Julio Cruz scored after 17 minutes.

David Beckham’s Real Madrid were routed 3-0 by a rampant Lyon at the Stade Gerland in Group F.

The French champions, coached by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, took the lead after 21 minutes thanks to Norwegian striker John Carew.

Brazil international Juninho doubled the lead five minutes later with a trademark free kick before former Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord made it three after 31 minutes with an excellent volley.

“The fi rst half was like a dream,” Houllier said. “It was a very good match of football. I thought our goalkeeper, Gregory Coupet, had an outstanding game. We deserved this victory. It’s a good start and it’s a great night for the supporters and the club.”

In last night’s other Group F game, Rosenborg stunned Olympiakos with a 3- 1 win in Athens.

Last season’s Champions League fi nalists, AC Milan, rallied late in the game to beat Fenerbahce 3- 1 at the San Siro in Group E. The Turkish side were holding the hosts to a 1- 1 draw with just five minutes to go before fi rst Kaka and then Andrei Shevchenko secured the three points.

Kaka, the Brazilian playmaker, gave Milan an 18th-minute lead with a low shot but his countryman, Alex, equalised from the penalty spot after Gennaro Gattuso had felled former Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka.

Kaka’s second was a magnificent goal, scored after he had dribbled around the whole Fenerbahce defence. Shevchenko then converted an open goal after Serginho’s shot had rebounded to him.

The other game in Group E ended with PSV Eindhoven beating the visiting Schalke 1-0, thanks to Jan Vennegoor of Hesslink’s 33rd-minute strike.