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Stuttgart double hit floors United
STUTTGART, Germany -- Bundesliga leaders VfB Stuttgart scored twice in quick succession early in the second half on their way to a deserved 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday. Hungarian striker Imre Szabics caught the visitors' defence off guard to open the scoring with a low drive from outside the box on 50 minutes and Germany forward Kevin Kuranyi beat advancing keeper Tim Howard by slotting the ball under the bar from the edge of the box to double the advantage two minutes later. United pulled one back with a 67th-minute penalty by Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who made headlines with his third penalty miss of the season against Arsenal at Old Trafford 10 days ago but got it right this time. Howard then made sure his Premiership club escaped further punishment with a superb save from a penalty by defender Fernando Meira with 10 minutes remaining. Stuttgart, who had started their campaign in Group E with a 2-1 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox, bounced back to suggest they could also make an impact in Europe after taking the Bundesliga by storm. United, who had opened by thumping Panathinaikos 5-0, failed to keep it up and need improvement, particularly in defence, to make a serious attempt to repeat their 1999 tournament success. Panathinaikos came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Rangers thanks to a late equaliser from Pantelis Konstantinidis in the pther Group E match - but the Scottish champions still head the group. Rangers seemed on course for a precious win after taking a first half lead through Brazilian playmaker Emerson. But the 55th minute dismissal of Panathinaikos defender Yiannis Goumas only served to inspire the hosts who played their best football to earn a deserved 89th minute equaliser.
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