Football / European round-up: Stoichkov's on-off day

HRISTO STOICHKOV celebrated his return to the Barcelona side with a first-half hat-trick but was then sent off in the 4-1 Spanish League win at Atletico Madrid. The Bulgarian, dropped for European Cup duty for not trying hard enough, received his marching orders after a second bookable offence.

Paolo Futre scored for Atletico but then he, too, saw red in the second half for arguing with the referee. Barcelona are second, behind Deportivo Coruna.

The Senegalese international, Souleyman Sane, struck a last- minute equaliser to help Wattenscheid take the first point of the season from the German league leaders, Bayern Munich, in a 1-1 draw. Bayern, reduced to 10 men when midfielder Mehmet Scholl was sent off, held on to their lead at the top, thanks to an Olaf Thon penalty. Lothar Matthaus, back from injury, was solid in midfield.

Krasimir Balakov scored twice in a 3-0 home win over Espinho for Bobby Robson's Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, where Maritimo lead on goal difference.

Eric Cantona made his peace with France's manager, Gerard Houllier, yesterday, and will rejoin the national team for the World Cup qualifying campaign.