Forlan: Uruguay striker Diego Forlan needed only 11 minutes to score on his Atletico Madrid debut to earn a 1-0 Intertoto Cup win over Gloria Bistrita and put them into the UEFA Cup second qualifying round. Atletico progressed on away goals after drawing 2-2 on aggregate following their defeat in the first leg in Romania. "I only had 20 minutes preparation playing with the rest of the squad (after the Copa America) but the coach put me in and all went well," Forlan told reporters.

Maradona: Diego Maradona admitted he was in awe of Brazil after Argentina's great rivals won the Copa America without Kaka and Ronaldinho. Maradona also said Brazil's 3-0 win over Argentina in the Copa America final two weeks ago was so comprehensive that he did not even cry. "They didn't take all their monsters to Venezuela," said Maradona in an interview with the sports daily Ole. "So, the question is what will happen when they play to their full potential. What is going to happen when the real Brazil play? I'm not just speaking for Argentina either, I'm speaking for Germany, Italy, Spain..."

Owen: Newcastle United striker Michael Owen will be unable to invoke the £9.5 million ($19.32 million) buy-out clause in his contract after it expires on July 31, former club chairman Freddy Shepherd has been quoted as saying. Shepherd, who approved the England striker's arrival from Real Madrid on a four-year contract in August 2005, told the Mail on Sunday, "It (the clause) is only valid until 31 July."

Sporting Lisbon: Sporting have taken Slovakia defender Maryan Had on loan for a season from Lokomotiv Moscow, the Portuguese Premier League club said on their website. The 24-year-old international is subject to a medical examination before signing today.

Training Bust-Up: Atletico Madrid's Portugal midfielder Costinha came to blows with youth team member Jacobo during training. After being separated by team mates, confronted fans who criticised him for the wild challenge that provoked the incident.