Chelsea, Barcelona take Champions League victories

Two goals from Spain’s midfielder Juan Mata inspired title holders Chelsea to a 4-0 victory over Denmark’s Nordsjaelland in the Champions League Group E match on Tuesday.

The Londoners pulled ahead in the 33rd minute when Fernando Torres robbed midfielder Enoch Adu and passed to Frank Lampard, who deftly set up Mata to fire the goal home with his left foot.

Joshua John twice went close for the home team, hitting the post on one occasion, but David Luiz made it 2-0 late in the second half with a curling free kick.

Mata sidefooted the third goal in the 82nd minute before Ramires completed the scoring.

Barcelona sailed to a 2-0 victory in their Group G match against Benfica at the Luz stadium in Lisbon with goals from Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, despite losing centre back Carles Puyol to injury in the 78th minute.

Puyol suffered what appeared to be a serious injury to his left arm in Tuesday's Champions League Group G match at Benfica.

Playing his first match since recovering from a knee problem, Puyol landed awkwardly after leaping for the ball at a corner.

He was in obvious pain as he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 78th minute as his shocked teammates looked on, to be replaced by Alex Song.

(FRANCE 24 with wires)