Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi was awarded the EFE trophy as the best Latin American player in La Liga last season at a ceremony at the Camp Nou earlier today.
Messi was presented with the trophy by EFE president Alex Grijelmo and was joined by his parents, brothers and other family members at the ceremony. This was the 17th year that EFE have honoured the best Latin American player in La Liga and Messi beat off competition from Daniel Alves and his Barça teammate Ronaldinho to scoop the award, voted for by the members of EFE.
Messi was grateful to receive the award and stated that he hopes to continue to improve as a player in the coming years. "I want to thank the Agency EFE and all the people who are present, to my family and my captain, Carles Puyol. It is beautiful to be able to receive this prize and it gives me extra motivation to continue grow as a player," he told those in attendance.
Before presenting the award to Messi, Grijelmo spoke in glowing terms of the Barcelona forward, saying that he is an inspiration to kids of small stature who want to become professional footballers.
"Messi is one of those players that I enjoy watching. Today he receives an important prize. They say that he is the new Maradona; he is not very tall, like Butragueño or Aimar, and that is one of the great things about football, that anyone can dream about being a star regardless of their physique," he explained.
Messi becomes the sixth Argentine to win the award, following in the footsteps of Diego Simeone, Martín Herrera, Fernando Redondo, Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar.(source: Goal)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Lionel Messi is Latin King
Friday, February 22, 2008
Serie A Weekend Preview: Round 24
Atalanta – Siena
Atalanta will be looking to re-ignite their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup following last week’s comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Lazio. The Nerazzurri are down to ninth after that loss and will certainly ned to improve their defensive record, having conceded 14 goals in their last seven games.Siena have been in good form in 2008 and have performed commendably against some of Serie A’s giants. They fell to a narrow and controversial 3-2 defeat to Inter, defeated Roma 3-0, and were unlucky in their 1-0 reverse at Milan. Last week they drew 0-0 at home to Torino, a result that keeps them one place above the relegation zone.
Cagliari – Lazio
Cagliari lost 2-1 at Palermo last Sunday, which ended their recent spell of improved form.A win and two draws prior to this game had given them hope in their uphill battle against relegation. This setback leaves them six points adrift of safety at the bottom of the league.Lazio picked up a much-needed three points by seeing off Atalanta 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.This sees them rise up to 12th in the table, and although they are only five points off the relegation zone, a good run of results could soon see them move even higher up the standings.
Empoli – Catania
Empoli moved out of the bottom three last week with a wonderful 3-1 win at San Paolo against Napoli.The Tuscans have now won two on the trot in Serie A, and they will be confident of continuing this positive sequence.Catania are in freefall after yet another loss last weekend; 2-1 at Fiorentina.Having been comfortable for most of the season the Sicilians are down to 14th, just two points above the relegation zone.
Livorno – Napoli
Livorno have faced both teams from Milan in their last two Serie A games, with mixed fortunes.First they picked up a hugely impressive 1-1 draw at San Siro against the Rossoneri, before being comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Inter in the same stadium three days later. The Tuscans are in 15th, two points above the drop zone.Napoli’s terrible form continues, as they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat against struggling Empoli.The Partenopei have picked up just one win in their last seven matches in Serie A, and have seen their UEFA Cup hopes virtually disappear.
Milan – Palermo
Milan need to get back to winning ways as their two consecutive draws in the league have seen them fall three points behind Fiorentina in the race for fourth place.In midweek however they picked up an excellent 0-0 draw at Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.Palermo reacted to their 3-1 defeat at Torino in week 22 by turning over Cagliari 2-1 at the Stadio Barbera.The Rosanero, currently in eighth, will be hoping for a repeat scoreline of the first fixture between them and Milan earlier in the season when they won 2-1.
Reggina – Juventus
Reggina are on a real negative streak as their 3-1 loss at home to Udinese was their fourth defeat in succession. The Amaranti are second-from-bottom in the table and are looking more-and-more likely to drop down to Serie B.Juventus have had two excellent results in as many weeks, as they followed up their 2-1 win at Udinese with a 1-0 victory over Roma.The Bianconeri are now just one point adrift of the second-placed Giallorossi, and could possibly overtake them this Sunday with victory in Reggio Calabria.
Roma – Fiorentina
Roma’s chances of the Scudetto were all but ended after they went down 1-0 to Juventus in Turin.The Giallorossi have now lost two of their last three games in Serie A and are 11 points adrift of leaders Inter.Fiorentina had not won in two in Serie A following a loss to Milan and a 2-2 draw at Atalanta.However they got back to winning ways by overcoming Catania 2-1, and followed this up with a win over Rosenborg in the UEFA Cup which saw them progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Sampdoria – Inter
Sampdoria are one of the most in-form teams in Serie A currently, and if there is anyone to put to an end Inter’s unbeaten domestic campaign it could be them.The Blucerchiati snatched a late 1-0 win in the Genoa derby last week. Walter Mazzarri’s men's record at the Stadio Ferraris is simply superb with seven wins, three draws, and a defeat from their 11 league games played there.Inter may be racing towards another Scudetto success, however the past few days have been tough for them.A 2-0 loss to Liverpool has left them on the verge of another early Champions League exit, and this has been followed by internal wranglings, including a reported falling-out between Marco Materazzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Torino – Parma
Torino have been much more consistent of late and last week they followed up two successive wins with a 0-0 draw at Siena.The Granata have moved away from the relegation places and are currently in 13th place in the table.Parma are now in the drop zone after an alarming run of results that has seen them not win in seven.However they will have been boosted by their ability to hold Milan to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Tardini last Saturday evening.
Udinese - Genoa
Udinese got back to winning ways last time out after going four games without a win. The Zebrette’s 3-1 win at Reggina has boosted their hopes of catching Fiorentina, who are five points adrift in the fourth and final Champions League position. Genoa had been in fine form ahead of last week’s derby with four wins, a draw and a defeat from their previous six games. However the Rossoblu fell to a morale-sapping 1-0 loss to their fierce rivals Sampdoria courtesy of a late Christian Maggio goal. (Source: Carlo Garganese, Goal)
Carvalho Hails Terry Influence
Ricardo Carvalho has described the influence of John Terry in the Chelsea defence ahead of the Carling Cup final against Tottenham this weekend.
Terry was called a "bionic man" by boss Avram Grant for recovering from his foot injury in two months to face Huddersfield last week, and his return has raised the possibility of him leading Chelsea for the Wembley showpiece on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has been back in training with the rest of the squad after they were given a day off after the goalless draw against Olympiakos, which the skipper was rested for.
Grant has Alex or Tal Ben Haim as centre-back replacements alongside Carvalho if Terry cannot be risked. Carvalho has highlighted how Terry differs from his other defensive partners.
He said: "JT is the skipper and talks more than Alex, but Alex speaks Portuguese so we talk in Portuguese, that's no problem.
"JT shouts a little more, but we have our way to play. Alex is quieter, and I am too. But JT? No.
"He is the captain and has to lead the team. Tal likes to speak also, he is between the three of us, he likes to speak and shout, not like JT, but more than us."
Frank Lampard was also rested in Greece before coming on for the final four minutes, and he is determined to play against Spurs on Sunday after recovering from long-term injury.
"It's a cup final at Wembley against Tottenham in a derby, the sort of game anyone would look forward to," Lampard said on Chelsea's official website.
Chelsea have won the Carling Cup in two out of the last three years - and Carvalho wants to lift the first trophy of the season to put them on the road for a successful season.
The Portugal defender said: "It is important because it's the first cup of the season and if you win that you have a little more confidence for the run-in.
"It is always important to win titles, if you can get one in February it is very good.
"Of course if you don't win you have to win the next one, the FA Cup, or reach the top of the league, and then the Champions League, but it would be great to get one in our pocket early."
He added: "They will make it tough for us but everyone is fit and wants to play. We are stronger so we have to show it and take the cup."
Carvalho also wants to break Chelsea's duck in the Champions League, adding: "I won it with Porto and it would be great to win it again.
"For me, it would be great, two Champions Leagues, and there is a spirit in the squad to win.
"I want to just keep winning. The Champions League is the best one, for the club it is the best one to win, and it is a great experience for the players also."(source:sportinglife)
Menonton Orang yang Tak Capek-capek
''Persebaya jadi PT? Yang benar...?''
Itu celutukan istri saya sambil membenahi selimut, Kamis malam (21/2). Saya sendiri pas lagi terpencet chanel ke JTV (Jawa Pos TV) yang bisa ditangkap televisi 14 inchi di kamar kami. Saya pun langsung memberikan beberapa info. ''Itu tuh, ketua Persebaya itu mantan Pemred Jawa Pos.''
Arif Afandi namanya. Selain Ketua Umum Persebaya, dia kini Wakil Walikota Surabaya. Karena berdasarkan peraturan Mendagri, tidak boleh sembarangan lagi pemerintah daerah mengeluarkan dana bagi sepakbola, maka setiap klub plat merah harus pandai-pandai cari dana sendiri. Nah, Arif punya ide, untuk menjadikan Persebaya sebuah Perseroan Terbatas (PT). Ide yang menarik, tapi tak semua anggota klub Persebaya memahaminya. Apalagi seandainya nanti PS Batam berbentuk PT pula (ha...ha....ha). Orang-orang Surabaya yang tradisi bolanya oke saja, ''agak susah'' menerimanya. Arif bahkan sampai didemo segala. Tapi bukan Arif namanya, kalau tidak pandai ''mensiasati'' demo. Dia bahkan pernah lebih besar didemo malah, saat memimpin redaksi Jawa Pos dan ''kepeleset'' berita tentang NU dan Gus Dur. Arif, dan para pemilik klub yang dinaung Persebaya tentulah ingin melihat dunia sepakbola mereka bangkit lagi. Mereka adalah orang yang tak capek-capek untuk terus bangkit. Dan mereka pasti punya ''akal'' yang saling ketemu untuk menancapkan kuku Persebaya lagi ke tingkat paling elit persepakbolaan Indonesia. Ingat, Persebaya sekarang masih anggota Divisi Utama. Mengapa masih?, karena PSSI sekarang punya divisi elit lagi, namanya Liga Super. Jadi, sama saja artinya Persebaya sekarang kalau diurut levelnya, masih level kedua. Tapi ya, itulah, PSSI Pusat, juga orang yang tak capek-capek. Mereka terus bertahan dengan ketua umum terpidana yang tak mau mundur-mundur. Meski FIFA sudah mewanti-wanti agar Nurdin Halid turun, tapi tidak juga mau mundur. Apakah Nurdin tak capek memikirkan, bila suatu saat ancaman FIFA menjadi kenyataan, ketika tim Indonesia tak boleh lagi berlaga di dunia internasional? Tak takutkah dia, akan makin banyak dosanya, ketika anak-anak kita tak bisa lagi bermain bola? Pengurus PSSI pun tak capek-capek juga dinasehati. Sudah dua hari terakhir ini, mereka dipanggil oleh Menpora dan Ketua Umum KONI Pusat. Tak juga, mereka berani menyatakan akan ''memecat'' ketua umumnya yang masih meringkuk di LP Cipinang. Dan lagi-lagi wajah teman atau abang saya di jurnalistik muncul di JTV. ''FIFA hanya menyebutkan pergantian pengurus, bukan ketua umum,'' ujar Mafirion, abang saya ketika dia masih di Riau Pos dan Sijori Pos (Batam Pos). ''Hebat ya, bang Yon. Kenapa bisa jadi orang Jakarta dia ya, Yah?'' Hmm...lagi-lagi istri bertanya. Selimut tebal pun sudah membekap badannya. Dia perlu nonton TV sebelum benar-benar tertidur, meskipun harus rela, saya sedikit nonton berita olahraga dulu. Di luar sana, kita juga menemukan orang yang tak capek-capek. Hari Minggu nanti, setelah bertarung di Liga Champions mereka bertarung lagi di liga negara masing-masing. Baik itu di Liga Spanyol, Liga Italia maupun Liga Inggris. Untuk Liga Inggris, Manchester United (MU) dan Arsenal malah harus main di kandang lawan. MU jumpa Newscastle, Arsenal berhadapan Birmingham. Tak capekkah mereka? Belum lagi nanti ada pula FA Cup? Ya, itulah, mereka sudah berbentuk PT. Pemain adalah karyawan yang jelas gaji dan bonusnya. Kalau tak kuat, ya, tak dapat, alias tak makanlah. Bisakah sepakbola kita benar-benar capek tapi tak capek sia-sia seperti sekarang ini? Di mana kelanjutan kompetisi belum tentu bisa karena suporternya rusuh, dan klubnya malah sedang kepayahan dana? Hmm...capek deh mikirkannya, lebih baik tonton dulu mereka yang benar-benar capek, tapi tak capek duitnya....(ade adran syahlan, blog lainnya http://ade-syahlan.blogspot.com)
***
Ronaldo: I'll Be Back Nine Months
Crocked star Ronaldo has confided to former Real Madrid team-mate Julio Baptista that he will return to the field within nine months.
El Fenomeno ruptured the tendon in his knee during last week’s match with Livorno, and was forced to undergo surgery.
The striker has been told by doctors that he will be out of action for at least nine-to-twelve months, although many people believe he will be lucky if he ever plays again.
Ronaldo seems very determined to make a quicksilver recovery and is reported to have told ex-Real Madrid team-mate Julio Baptista that he is hoping to take to the field within nine months.
"I want to return to the field quickly,” said Ronaldo.
“I can do it before the nine months predicted by the doctors."
If this proved to be the case, then there is the possibility of seeing the 31-year-old in action before the end of the 2008 calendar year.
However experts believe that a more realistic comeback date will be at the beginning of the 2009/10 season.(source:goal)
Dihiasi Skor-skor Besar dan Kejutan
Pertandingan leg 2 babak 32 Besar Piala UEFA menyuguhkan atraksi menarik. Skor-skor besar menghiasi sejumlah laga dan beberapa klub unggulan mengalami nasib nahas dan tersingkir.
Rentetan skor besar diawali oleh Bayer Leverkusen yang menghajar Galatasaray 5-1. Bomber Leverkusen Stefan Kiessling mencetak dua gol sekaligus menyejajarkan dirinya di puncak daftar pencetak gol Piala UEFA bersama tiga penyerang lain. Leverkusen pun meluncur mulus ke perdelapanfinal. Di babak 16 Besar itu, perang saudara sudah menunggu. Tim besutan Michael Skibbe itu ditantang oleh Hamburg SV yang mengungguli FC Zurich. Pesta gol kedua dinikmati oleh rekan senegara Leverkusen, Bayern Munich. Menghadapi Aberdeen (Skotlandia), The Bavarians yang menyisipkan sejumlah pemain yang jarang merumput menang telak 5-1. Dua gol Munich disumbangkan oleh Lukas Podolski. Bomber berusia 22 tahun itu membuktikan cedera yang menderanya bulan lalu tak mempengaruhi penampilannya. Dobel gol ini sekaligus memanaskan persaingan di lini depan Munich karena Luca Toni juga tengah on-fire. Di perdelapanfinal, Munich akan ditantang oleh Anderlecht. Di 32 Besar, klub Belgia itu menuntaskan perlawanan Bordeaux dengan agregat gol 3-2. Skor terbesar di gelanggang kelas dua Eropa, Jumat (22/2/2008) dinihari WIB, ini didapatkan dari laga Everton kontra Brann Bergen. Bermain di Goodison Park, Everton mengamuk dan menelan lawan Norwegianya itu 6-1. Duet striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu dan Andy Johnson menjadi pahlawan The Toffees. Johnson mencetak dua gol dan Yakubu lebih hebat lagi dengan menyumbangkan tiga gol alias hattrick. Everton mendapat lawan berat di babak berikutnya. Adalah Fiorentina yang akan menjajal kemampuan skuad racikan David Moyes itu. Fiorentina sendiri sebagai satu-satunya wakil Italia menghentikan Rosenborg 3-1. Kejutan tak lupa hadir di Piala UEFA. Pelakonnya adalah Bolton Wanderers dan Zenit St Petersburg. Entah kebetulan atau bukan, dua tim yang mereka singkirkan adalah dua klub asal Spanyol. Bolton yang terpuruk di posisi 15 Liga Inggris berhasil menyingkirkan Atletico Madrid. Sementara Zenit sukses menghentikan langkah Villareal. Di perdelapanfinal, Bolton bersua Sporting Lisbon. Sementara Zenit harus menghadapi lawan yang memiliki tradisi kuat di Eropa, yakni Marseille. Pertandingan leg pertama babak 16 Besar Piala UEFA akan dihelat bersamaan pada 6 Maret mendatang. Sedangkan leg kedua direncanakan akan dipentaskan pada 12 dan 13 Maret.(sumber:detik)
Laudrup Surprised, Atletico & Villarreal Eliminations
Getafe coach Michael Laudrup told the press that he was surprised that both Atletico Madrid and Villarreal were eliminated the UEFA Cup against 
Laudrup revealed that he didn't expect Atletico and Villarreal to be eliminated at this early stage of the competition, and stated that it "seems like things have changed," after his team, Getafe, thrashed AEK Athens 3-0.
"I don't need any praise. It has been a long time that I have been saying this, everyone can say what they want," he declared. "Atletico and Villarreal have been eliminated, Getafe is the only [Spanish] team remaining in the UEFA Cup. It seems that things are changing."
The Danish football legend also spoke about their next UEFA Cup opponents, Benfica, who are coached by a well-known Spanish figure in Jose Antonio Camacho.
"It is okay, they are a very important team, one of the big clubs of Europe, and our team deserve to play a team like this at this stage of the competition," he said.
He also commented about the goal Cosmin Contra scored from the penalty spot, that he dedicated to his father, who passed away only moments before the match started.
"It was 100% Cosmin Contra's decision to take the penalty. Obviously he was in the starting eleven, and I told him to decide. In the end he decided to play the match," he concluded.(source: goal)
Result UEFA Cup 21-2-08 & Agenda Leg 3
Bayer Leverkusen 5 - 1 Galatasaray
Hamburger SV 0 - 0 Zurich
Spartak Moscow 2 - 0 Marseille
Panathinaikos 1 - 1 Rangers
Bayern Munich 5 - 1 Aberdeen
Atletico Madrid 0 - 0 Bolton W
Bordeaux 1 - 1 Anderlecht
Fiorentina 2 - 1 Rosenborg
Getafe 3 - 0 AEK Athens
Helsingborg 1 - 2 PSV Eindhoven
Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Slavia Prague
Villarreal 2 - 1 Zenit St. Petersburg
Basel 0 - 3 Sporting Lisbon
Everton 6 - 1 Brann Bergen
Nurnberg 2 - 2 Benfica
Braga 0 - 1 Werder Bremen
UEFA Cup Leg 3:
Anderlecht vs Bayern Munich
Rangers vs Werder Bremen
Bolton Wanderers vs Sporting Lisbon
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburg SV
Getafe vs Benfica
Fiorentina vs Everton
Tottenham Hotspur vs PSV Eindhoven
Marseille vs Zenit St. Petersburg
Bayern Stroll Past Dazed Dons
The German giants gained revenge for their first leg scare at Pittodrie by running out worthy winners over Aberdeen at the Allianz-Arena. 
That's not to say that Aberdeen didn't have their chances - they had one of two - but the hosts' confidence was clearly boosted by that early strike, and from there there was really no stopping them.
In fact, Jamie Langfield was kept busy all evening in the Aberdeen goal as the hosts put in a masterful showing that puts them in great stead to facee Anderlecht or Bordeaux in the next round.
After Lucio's early opener, Van Buyten and Podolski - the latter netting twice - got in on the act, with Van Bommel adding a fifth after Lovell's late consolation for the visitors.
As early as the second minute, Bayern meant business. Lucio's fine cross from the left was met by Toni, who in turn fed Podolski unmarked. However, the German international's effort rebounded off the crossbar.
After ten more minutes of pressure, though, it was 1-0 to the hosts, with Lucio getting on the end of a deep free-kick to smash the ball above Langfield for the lead.
Langfield was again active five minutes later as Altintop's half-volley had to be parried clear.
At the other end, Mackie finally had a chance for the Dons midway through the first period, but he was unable to get his one-on-one effort on target.
Still, Bayern were clearly in the ascendancy, and the only surprise was that it took them a further ten minutes to manage a second.
Again it came from a set piece. Kroos fired in a free kick from the left flank - Aluko being booked for the original challenge - with Van Buyten heading home powerfully for the 2-0.
The first half ended as it started: with FCB hitting the woodwork. Langfield parried Ottl's original effort, only for Lucio's tight-angled pounce on the rebound to hit the post.
Immediately after the start Bayern were on the warpath again, with Lucio looking particularly active, but in fact Aberdeen had the ball in the net first.
Mackie got on the end of a great move from Aluko to sweep the ball home at the back post, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside. He, in fact, looked on when the ball was played - perhaps the infraction was from the nearby Lee Miller for interfering with play - but Mackie was in any case furious, picking up a booking for his protests.
Podolski and Van Bommel both came close as the game entered the 70th minute, and in fact it was the former who was to get on the scoresheet next.
After Klose's shot was parried by Langfield, Podolski swooped to side-foot the ball hom.
Six minute slater, Podolski had his second after heading home Schweinsteiger's corner, and underlining Aberdeen's frailty at set-pieces.
Still, the Dons had a consolation strike in the back of the net ten minutes from time, which showed their potency in dead-ball situation at the other end. Steve Lovell headed home De Visscher's free-kick to delight the vocal away support.
But Bayern had the last laugh right after, Van Bommel capping off a fine team move with a wonderfully nonchalant finish across the 'keeper.(source:goal)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Robben: I Am Back On Form
Arjen Robben has admitted that he is close to returning to his best form after playing in the majority of Real Madrid's game against Roma on Tuesday evening. he Dutch forward could not hide his delight to have come through such a high profile game with no sign of the injuries that have plagued his start to life with Los Merengues. Madrid may have been beaten in their Champions League trip to the Italian capital, but Robben remained upbeat over his personal performance. "It was my first big game after the injuries," he stated.I finally feel that I am in form once again and when I feel like that I can play better. Despite everything I can improve, but I am very happy with the way things are going now." After going ahead through Raúl, Madrid were beaten after David Pizarro and Mancini scored for the hosts but Robben has no doubts that things will be different in Spain.
T
"We can recover this in the Bernabéu," he added.(source: goal)
Messi Rejoices In Celtic Triumph
Lionel Messi believes that Barcelona victory against Celtic will give the team confidence and allow them to continue moving upwards both in Europe and domestically.
The Argentinian scored twice at Parkhead as the Blaugrana twice came from behind to draw level before clinching victory in the second half.
After netting the first equaliser, Messi capped a domineering second half display by scoring the winning goal with eleven minutes remaining.
"I am pleased with the win," he said. "This result continues to allow us to keep improving.
"Now there are some very important games ahead."
Captain Carles Puyol thought that the game was Barça's best of the campaign so far and said that nobody at the club would consider the tie was over yet.
"The team played very well, even when we went behind," he stated.
"I think it was one of the best games of the season on our part.
"This is the road we have to continue down, but we must not think that anything has been decided." (source: Goal)
Moore set for West Brom loan move
West Brom are set to sign Aston Villa striker Luke Moore on loan until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old, who has not featured for Villa since 5 January, will have a medical at the Hawthorns on Wednesday.
The move is with a view to a permanent £3.5m deal in the summer, though the Premier League side will be able to recall Moore during the loan period.
He had previously been linked with Rangers after the Glasgow club enquired about his availability in January.
Moore, a Villa Academy product, made his first-team debut against Middlesbrough in 2005.
He scored twice in the first eight games of last season before being struck down by a shoulder injury which required surgery in America and ruled him out of action until the last half-dozen games of the season.(source:BBC)
Tevez strike secures draw in Lyon
Carlos Tevez scores late to cancel out Karim Benzema's brilliant opener and secure a 1-1 Champions League draw for Man Utd in Lyon.
Carlos Tevez struck a crucial late away goal for Manchester United after Karim
e week.
Aulas craves European success after achieving domestic domination - Lyon are challenging for a seventh straight Ligue 1 title - but his team have shown defensive vulnerabilities this season.
And there was enough fallibility about the hosts to excite the likes of Anderson,
Ronaldo and Rooney in the first half.
But despite that, and for all the possession they enjoyed, the English champions managed to conjure up only one truly outstanding opportunity to punish that backline.
Giggs's superbly weighted pass was controlled majestically by Rooney, who raced through on goal only to see his shot blocked by Coupet's legs.
Benzema was generally well contained by Nemanja Vidic but United were guilty on several occasions of affording the prolific marksman time and space in the opening period.
He was left alone at a Juninho corner but fired tamely at Van der Sar, and then side-footed just over the bar after Francois Clerc found him in space on the edge of the penalty area.
And after United had made the early running in the second half he demonstrated just why United and the rest of Europe's elite have cast their eyes towards him.
There appeared no danger when Jeremy Toulalan played a hopeful pass towards him on the edge of the area but the 20-year-old turned and fired a rasping drive into Van der Sar's left corner in a flash to stun Ferguson's men.
The United boss took off Giggs - who was struggling after picking up a knock late in the first half - and Paul Scholes, and threw on Nani and Tevez to add an even more youthful and pacey look to his side.
The intention was clear: to throw everything at Lyon's suspect rearguard - but, if anything, the home side looked capable of adding to their lead.
Clerc forced a save from Van der Sar with a powerful drive and free-kick specialist Juninho was inches away from a second when his 35-yard effort deviated just wide after landing in front of the United keeper.
United recovered from that to press vigorously late on and after Coupet tipped over a vicious Ronaldo free-kick, Lyon made a hash of the resulting corner.
The ball deflected off substitute Fred to Tevez, who was in acres of space to gleefully smash home and put his team in pole position to reach the last eight.
Lyon: Coupet, Reveillere, Squillaci, Boumsong, Grosso, Clerc (Ben Arfa 78), Juninho (Bodmer 73), Toulalan, Kallstrom, Govou, Benzema (Fred 83).
Subs Not Used: Vercoutre, Cris, Delgado, Keita.
Booked: Reveillere, Toulalan, Boumsong.
Goals: Benzema 54.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes (Tevez 65), Hargreaves (Carrick 78), Anderson, Giggs (Nani 65), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Saha, O'Shea, Fletcher.
Booked: Hargreaves.
Goals: Tevez 87.
Att: 39,230
Ref: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).
Source: BBC
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