United snatch draw, Liverpool held

Champions League round-up

Champions League round-up

A late, late Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty, four minutes into injury-time, earned a point for Manchester United at Nantes tonight.

Viorel Moldovan slotted the opener for Nantes from close-range beating United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez with a cross shot after a drive by winger Olivier Quint had been deflected by a defender in the ninth minute.

United tried to fight back and dominated for the rest of the match but they failed to find the net as Nantes goalkeeper Mickael Landreau produced a series of brilliant saves.

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In injury-time, defender Mario Yepes handled inside the box and Van Nistelrooy equalised from the penalty spot. United are top of group A with five points, the same as second-placed Bayern Munich who drew at Boavista.

Liverpool, meanwhile, dropped two crucial points as they were held 0-0 by Galatasaray at Anfield. Liverpool wasted a succession of chances and suffered a further blow when midfielder Steven Gerrard was carried of with a leg injury during the second half.

Emile Heskey and Danny Murphy squandered Liverpool's best opportunities, while Galatasaray's goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon made a string of fine saves to thwart the English side who had scored 10 goals without reply in their last two games.

The result means Liverpool have only two points from their first three games in the group. Galatasaray have three points having drawn all three of their matches so far. In Group B’s other match this evening, Patrick Kluivert struck a late equaliser for Barcelona against Roma at the Nou Camp.

Former Real Madrid defender Christian Panucci had put Roma ahead against the run of play on 58 minutes, sweeping in after being left unmarked from a Vincent Candela free kick.

Barca, who had dominated possession, pressed forward with even greater intent and eventually got their reward. Carles Puyol robbed Candela near the right touchline and picked out Kluivert, who provided an emphatic finish.