PARIS, Feb 28: Arsenal and Deportivo La Coruna took a giant stride towards the quarterfinals of the Champions League Wednesday as Real Madrid became the first team to book their place in the last eight.

Deportivo stunned Italian giants Juventus 2-0 thanks to goals from Diego Tristan and Djalminha in a stormy Group D match at Depor’s Riazor Stadium while Arsenal turned on the style to thrash Bayer Leverkusen 4-1.

Under-strength Real meanwhile guaranteed their progression from Group C with a 2-1 win away at 1987 European Cup winners Porto, as Greek side Panathinaikos downed Sparta Prague 2-1 in Athens.

Juventus’ defeat means the Turin aristocrats have now failed to win a European tie in Spain for 31 years and Wednesday’s was another match they will want to forget.

Deportivo, who had never beaten Italian opponents in Europe in five previous attempts, dominated the early stages and it was no surprise when they took the lead after just eight minutes.

Victor Sanchez broke away down the right side and his cross was neatly headed home by top-scorer Tristan who gave Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon no chance.

Any hopes that Juve had of saving the game disappeared in the space of three minutes in the second half, when substitute Edgar Davids was sent off on 74 minutes and then Djalminha scored Depor’s second.

Deportivo trail the group behind English Premiership contenders Arsenal, who laid on an irresistible feast of attacking football to delight their fans at Highbury.

The contest was effectively finished within minutes of the kick-off, as Arsenal stormed into a two-goal lead with just seven minutes gone thanks to strikes from French internationals Robert Pires and Thierry Henry.

Another Frenchman, Patrick Vieira, who was outstanding in Arsenal’s midfield, headed home the Gunners’ third just after the break before Dennis Bergkamp’s exquisite chip three minutes from time made it 4-0.

Bayer substitute Zoltan Sebescen scored a late consolation goal for the visitors.

The result was all the more impressive given Arsenal were unable to field a full-strength side with several key players unavailable for selection.

In Group C, eight-time European Cup winners Real made sure of their spot in the knockout phase of this season’s competition after scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes to snuff out Porto’s hopes.

Real, fielding a much-changed side with Zinedine Zidane and Raul rested and midfielder Luis Figo missing through injury, held off a strong second-half fightback to secure the points.

The Spaniards were set on the way after scoring with their first attack of the match. Defender Oscar Minambres floated in a teasing cross and Santiago Solari rose to head home on seven minutes.

Solari had also scored in Real’s 1-0 win over Porto in Madrid last week, and the midfielder’s early goal clearly demoralised the Portuguese players.

Real delivered the killer blow on 20 minutes. An awkward freekick was fumbled by Porto’s normally reliable keeper Vitor Baia and Real’s Ivan Helguera was on hand to prod in number two.

Real did not have it all their own way however and Porto pulled one back soon afterwards when a fine cross by Helder Postiga was met by an unmarked Capucho who rattled in a low shot.

The race is now on to see which team will join Real in the last eight. Panathinaikos look well placed after they defeated Sparta Prague in Athens.

The win opened up a four-point gap between second-placed Panathinaikos and Sparta, who are third. Porto prop up the group with just one point.

Results:

GROUP C