Holders Real Madrid showed their mettle yesterday when they recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Sporting Lisbon in their opening game in the Champions' League. A Roberto Carlos strike and an own goal by Sporting's Rui Jorge spared the Spaniards' blushes.
Tournament favourites Lazio opened their campaign with an assured 3-0 victory away to Ukrainian qualifiers Shakhtar Donetsk. Last season's finalists Valencia also started with a win, 2-1 at home to Greek side Olympiakos, as did Turkish UEFA Cup holders Galatasaray, Russian champions Spartak Moscow and French club Olympique Lyon.
Real, fielding world record signing Luis Figo, fell behind after 38 minutes in Portugal to a Sa Pinto goal. Four minutes later Sporting struck again through Andre Cruz.
Carlos' 50th minute goal revitalised Real and, 20 minutes from time, Rui Jorge's own-goal secured them a point.
Claudio Lopez, signed from Valencia, gave Italians Lazio an immediate return on their investment with the opener after 27 minutes in the Ukraine against surprise qualifiers Shakhtar Donetsk.
Goals on the break from Czech international Pavel Nedved and Simone Inzaghi made the Group B game safe in the second half.
Galatasaray threw away a two-goal lead against Monaco in an eventful group D match in Turkey. Hagi was sent off, quickly followed by Monaco's Ousmane Dabo.
Fallen Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam produced the performance of the night in the UEFA Cup. They crushed Belgian club Ghent 6-0 in the away leg of their first round tie, though their win was marred by crowd trouble.
