Platt off as Samp are held

OVERSEAS ROUND-UP

David Platt was sent off as the scrap for Italy's final berth in the Uefa Cup intensified yesterday. He handled Marco Delvecchio's 59th-minute shot on the goal-line, which kept Sampdoria temporarily ahead of Internazionale as Dennis Bergkamp missed the resulting penalty. However a late goal by Alessandro Bianchi earned Inter a 2-2 draw. Roma secured a Uefa Cup place in style, beating the title-winners, Juventus, 3-0.

Lazio and Milan have already qualified, leaving Inter, Cagliari, Napoli, Sampdoria and Fiorentina, beaten 3-0 at Parma yesterday, to go into the final round of games next weekend with one European place available. Two points cover those five teams.

Real Madrid are still waiting to claim their 26th Spanish league title after losing 1-0 at Barcelona to a headed goal by Miguel Nadal on Saturday. That result, coupled with Deportivo La Coruna's 2-0 home victory over Real Betis, leaves Real leading Deportivo by four points with three to play. Those two meet at the Bernabeu next weekend.

Ajax's 3-1 home win over Twente Enschede yesterday meant they became the first club to go through a Dutch League season undefeated.