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Hamburger SV survived for nearly an hour with ten men to see off northern neighbours Werder Bremen 2-1 and return to fourth in the Bundesliga, while 1. FC Köln were also lifted by a home win.

Juventus ended the year on a fresh low as they suffered another loss, 2-1 at home to Calcio Catania, to slip nine points behind Serie A leaders FC Internazionale Milano, who overcame S.S. Lazio 1-0.

LOSC Lille Métropole hauled themselves up into third spot in France courtesy of a 3-0 triumph over Le Mans UC 72, with Olympique Lyonnais unable to unseat them as they drew with AS Monaco FC.

Valencia CF ensured they finished 2009 in the Liga top four as they secured a goalless draw at challengers RC Deportivo La Coruña, and RCD Mallorca succumbed to a 2-1 reverse at Málaga CF.

Chelsea FC lengthened their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points despite being held to a 1-1 stalemate at West Ham United FC, while UEFA Europa League hopefuls Everton also drew.

Hertha BSC Berlin have secured their second loan signing ahead of the winter break in Germany by capturing Levan Kobiashvili from fellow Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 until the end of the season.

Club Estudiantes de La Plata 1-2 FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi's extra-time goal won Barça the FIFA Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi – the Azulgrana's sixth trophy success of 2009.

Manchester City FC chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak hailed Roberto Mancini's "proven track record of winning trophies" after announcing his appointment as manager Mark Hughes's successor.

Real Madrid CF produced a blistering first-half performance to defeat struggling Real Zaragoza 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu and end 2009 two points adrift of Liga pacesetters FC Barcelona.

Manchester United FC's title hopes took a potentially significant blow with a 3-0 defeat at Fulham FC, while Aston Villa FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC again strengthened their top-four claims.

FC Girondins de Bordeaux have an eight-point cushion at the Ligue 1 summit after beating FC Lorient 4-1 on a day nearest challengers Olympique de Marseille were held to a draw by AS Saint-Etienne.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen beat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2 to return to the top of the Bundesliga after FC Schalke 04 enjoyed a brief spell at the summit courtesy of a 1-0 victory on Friday night.

Everton have wrapped up a two-and-a-half-month loan deal for Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, with the United States' most-capped player joining David Moyes' side on 2 January.

UEFA Champions League holders FC Barcelona will take on VfB Stuttgart while FC Internazionale Milano coach José Mourinho will be reunited with Chelsea FC after the first knockout round draw.

AC Milan coach Leonardo said his side and Manchester United FC "are two teams that have Europe in their blood" after their pairing in the last 16 which could mean at Old Trafford return for David Beckham.

FC Shakhtar Donetsk will face Fulham FC but perhaps the highlight of today's UEFA Europa League round of 32 and 16 draws in Nyon sees Juventus and AFC Ajax set to renew a famous old rivalry.

FC Internazionale Milano director Luís Figo is predicting "a fantastic and emotional return" after the Italian titleholders were paired with coach José Mourinho's former side Chelsea FC in the last 16.

Real Madrid CF must get past Olympique Lyonnais, who they have never beaten, to reach the last eight for the first time in six years although Gonzalo Higuaín is taking hope from their group displays.

Louis van Gaal declared himself "not dissatisfied" after his FC Bayern München team were paired with ACF Fiorentina, who the Bavarian side met for the first time in last season's group stage.

On-loan midfielder Aleksandr Hleb thought it was "some kind of a joke" when he was told VfB Stuttgart had been paired with the European champions in the last 16, noting: "You cannot outplay Barcelona."