There was also to be last-minute disappointment for Czech Republic outfit Sparta Prague as they were held 1-1 at home by Dutch giants Ajax - a club formerly managed by Benfica’s handler Ronald Koeman - Wesley Sneijder’s stunning effort giving them a point.

Italian clubs had a good night as Juventus recorded a 2-1 victory away at Bruges with Daviod Trezeguet scoring his 100th goal for the club moving ever closer to French compatriot Michel Platini’s club record of 104.

Vincenzo Iaquinta scored a hat trick in Udinese’s maiden Champions League match as the unglamorous Italian side recorded a 3-0 home victory over Greek giants Panathinaikos.

The good was balanced by the ugly as fiery England striker Wayne Rooney capped a pretty disastrous last 10 days for England and Manchester United by being sent off for two bookable offences - the second for dissent at his initial booking - in United’s 0-0 away draw with Spanish side Villarreal.

Juve’s French hardman midfielder Patrick Vieira was given his marching orders in the final minute of the Bruges match.

Results

Group A

Bruges 1 Juventus 2

Rapid Vienna 0 Bayern Munich 1

Group B

Arsenal 2 FC Thun 1

Sparta Prague 1 Ajax 1

Group C

Udinese 3 Panathinaikos 0

Werder Bremen 0 Barcelona 2

Group D

Benfica 1 Lille 0

Villarreal 0 Manchester United 0

—Agencies