The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 20 February 2013

Brilliant Bayern leave Arsenal facing Euro exit

Bayern Munich will take a 3-1 lead back to Germany after easing to victory against Arsenal in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg last night .

On a chastening night for Arsène Wenger, below, Toni Kroos put the visitors ahead on seven minutes, striking through a crowded penalty area. Thomas Müller doubled the advantage on 20 minutes, stabbing into the roof of the net after Wojciech Szczesny stopped Daniel van Buyten's header.

Lukas Podolski halved the deficit for an improved Arsenal after the break, before Mario Mandzukic restored Bayern's two-goal advantage. The second leg takes place at the Allianz Arena on 13 March. MORE

Rose convinced of Match Play upsets

Justin Rose believes this weekend's Accenture Match Play Championship is unlikely to go to form. "If the top four advanced to the semis here we'd all be in disbelief," the Briton said of the Tucson event. MORE

Nani still wants to leave Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Nani remains determined to leave Old Trafford this summer despite his starring role in Monday's victory over Reading. His failure to make the squad for last week's Champions League tie in Real Madrid only strengthened his desire to depart. MORE

Cardiff cut down as Tigers close the gap

Championship leaders Cardiff were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by Brighton last night, allowing Hull to close the gap to five points with a 2-0 win over Blackburn. Watford won 2-0 at Ipswich, while Crystal Palace beat Bristol City 2-1.

Youngs relishes England position

Ben Youngs admits he is relishing the freedom afforded him when he represents England. "I feel I can play it as I see it," the Leicester scrum-half said. "And back myself to do something different if it's on." MORE

Injured Azarenka pulls out of Dubai

A foot injury yesterday forced Victoria Azarenka to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Championships – the second year in a row that the Belarusian has pulled out before her first match at the event. MORE

Trott's England place under threat

England's Jonathan Trott finds his place under threat as the One-Day International series in New Zealand continued today. There are calls for Eoin Morgan to bat higher than No 5 even though that is his preferred spot.

Moutinho gives Porto advantage

Joao Moutinho's finish shortly after the interval gave Porto a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Malaga. The midfielder converted Alex Sandro's cross as the dominant hosts earned a deserved lead to take to Spain next month.

On His Own lays National marker

On His Own set the cat among the Aintree pigeons yesterday by contriving to win his comeback race at Navan. He travelled comfortably through heavy ground to enhance his prospects for the Grand National. MORE