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UEFA Champions League revealed the first two participants of the semifinals, which became two English clubs. The Premier League leader "Man Utd" simply crushed the "Roma" team at home and avenged their failure on the road, while "Chelsea" bounced back after conceding a goal and snatched a victory in the last minute away against "Valencia". The biggest intrigue was expected at Manchester's "Old Trafford" stadium, where the local "Man Utd" welcomed the "Roma" team and had to get revenge to advance to the next stage. However, already in the 11th minute, Michael Carrick put the hosts ahead with a precise penalty kick, and just six minutes later, receiving a pass from Ryan Giggs, he scored a second goal, not playing in the starting lineup due to a serious injury in the Champions League or Premier League for 14 months Alan Smith. Soon, after a third goal following a quick counterattack and another accurate pass from R. Giggs, Wayne Rooney scored, and although the Italian visitors tried to respond, a minute before the end of the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo defeated "Roma" goalkeeper Doni with a precise shot into the near corner. "Man Utd" led 4-0 already after the first 45 minutes and the intrigue quickly disappeared. After the break, after playing just a few minutes, a similar game continued, and another R. Giggs pass to the far post was "closed" by C. Ronaldo, and in the 60th minute, with a beautiful shot into the top corner, M. Carrick scored his second and the team's sixth goal. "Roma" responded with a shot into the corner of the goal by Daniele De Rossi without stopping the ball, but the final word was said by the English club - with a shot low from the post for the seventh time, Doni was defeated by the substitute Patrice Evra on the field. "Man Utd" celebrated their most spectacular victory in the tournament since 1968 and for the first time in 23 years managed to advance to the next stage despite the failure in the first match, while "Roma" suffered one of the biggest humiliations in their history and disgracefully withdrew from the Champions League. The battle in Spain between the "Valencia" and London's "Chelsea" clubs was more intense. After a 1-1 draw in the first match, the English team had to score a goal, and they had opportunities to score early in the match after corner kicks, but Ricardo Carvalho missed, and Michael Ballack hit it towards the home goalkeeper Santiago Canizares. In the 25th minute, the guests already had luck on their side, as David Villa made a run towards the opponents' goal and unexpectedly passed the ball to Fernando Morientes, who appeared in this match after a shoulder injury, as he was struck in the penalty area. However, F. Morientes did not have to wait long, as in the 32nd minute after a pass from Joaquin, he fell and redirected the ball into the net, putting the "Valencia" team ahead. Soon another D. Villa run ended with a shot by F. Morientes, but "Chelsea" saved the ball by their defender Ashley Cole. The first half ended with the hosts confidently leading 1-0. However, in the second half, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho brought in Joe Cole, giving the visitors more attacking options. Already in the 52nd minute, the London club equalized when Didier Drogba received a pass from Michael Essien, and although "Chelsea" striker was pressed by defenders, the ball reached Andriy Shevchenko, who sent the ball into the goal from close range. "Chelsea" gradually took control and started dominating the field. D. Drogba had a good opportunity, but the shot from the Ivory Coast player was easily caught by S. Canizares. "Valencia" also had a chance, but Miguel Angel Angulo missed the goal. As the match approached extra time, S. Canizares fantastically saved his team from a header by M. Ballack. However, at the very end of the match, "Valencia" goalkeeper made a crucial mistake - after a shot by M. Essien, he failed to defend near the post, and "Chelsea" snatched a dramatic victory. In the semifinals, "Chelsea" will face "Liverpool" and the winner of the "PSV" pair, while "Man Utd" will play against either Bayern Munich or Milan. Tuesday quarterfinal match results: 7 - 1 (First match 1-2, aggregate 8-3) 11' [1 - 0] Michael Carrick 17' [2 - 0] Alan Smith 19' [3 - 0] Wayne Rooney 44' [4 - 0] Cristiano Ronaldo 49' [5 - 0] Cristiano Ronaldo 60' [6 - 0] Michael Carrick 69' [6 - 1] Daniele De Rossi 81' [7 - 1] Patrice Evra 1 - 2 (First match 1-1, aggregate 2-3) 32' [1 - 0] Fernando Morientes 52' [1 - 1] Andriy Shevchenko 90' [1 - 2] Michael Essien
