Liverpool Produces a Rally

European champion Liverpool beat host Luton, 5-3, in the FA Cup on Saturday, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in one of the most riveting comebacks in soccer’s oldest cup competition.

Xabi Alonso scored two long-range goals -- one from 60 yards into an unguarded net -- and substitute Florent Sinama Pongolle had the other two to stop the League Championship team from registering one of the cup’s biggest upsets.

Alonso’s second goal came deep into injury time with Luton goalkeeper Marlon Beresford in the Liverpool half of the field trying to score the equalizer at 4-3. His first goal was a dipping shot from 35 yards.

The comeback was reminiscent of Liverpool’s rally from a 3-0 deficit at halftime to AC Milan in the Champions League final in May. Liverpool went on to beat the Italian club on penalty kicks.

Non-league Nuneaton Borough held Premier League Middlesbrough to a 1-1 tie thanks to a last-minute penalty kick by Gez Murphy. Nuneaton, which is 103 places behind Middlesbrough in English soccer’s pyramid of leagues, now has a lucrative replay on the road.

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Aldo de Nigris scored in the 65th minute to lead Tigres to a 3-2 win over Necaxa in the InterLiga tournament at Frisco, Texas.

The victory gave Tigres a 1-1-0 record in Group B play and moved them back into contention for a berth in the Copa Libertadores, the South American club championship. Necaxa also has a 1-1-0 record.

The InterLiga tournament determines the two spots for Mexican league teams into the Copa Libertadores.

In the second InterLiga game Saturday, Chivas de Guadalajara rallied for two second-half goals, including an 85th-minute penalty kick by Adolfo Bautista, to tie Cruz Azul, 2-2, and take the Group B lead with a 1-0-1 record. Cruz Azul is 0-2-0.

Today’s schedule has Group A leader Veracruz taking on Morelia, and Monterrey playing Pachuca. The tournament moves to the Home Depot Center for games Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Samuel Eto’o scored his 18th goal of the season and leader FC Barcelona won its 11th straight league game, 2-1, over crosstown rival Espanyol as the Spanish league resumed after a 16-day winter break.... Adrian Mutu scored twice and rallied Serie A leader Juventus to a 2-1 victory at Palermo as Italy’s top league resumed after a winter break.