Zidane helps scrappy Real topple Bayern

Real Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 Real win 2-1 on aggregate

An impressive strike by Zinedine Zidane was enough to edge Real Madrid past Bayern Munich here last night, the Spaniards securing their place in the Champions' League quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Real, without the injured striker Ronaldo and the suspended defender Roberto Carlos, advanced following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Munich two weeks ago, boosting their hopes of a record 10th title in the competition.

The match, eagerly awaited, failed to live up to expectation with unnecessary fouls far outstripping chances at goal. It was not entirely without entertainment value, however, with Zidane providing the odd spark to keep the Real fans in high voice.

The Real fans demonstrated their confidence before the game by unfurling a large banner behind one of the goals which read, "Silence, the 10th symphony is beginning", a reference to the team's hopes of securing another trophy.

Real dominated most of the first half with the midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez unleashing a fierce shot in the 10th minute which flew just over the bar and Raul heading Zidane's cross just over six minutes later.

It came as no surprise when Zidane opened the scoring just after the half hour when he swivelled to clip the ball past Oliver Kahn at the far post from Michel Salgado's header after a David Beckham cross had been deflected backwards by Bayern's Ze Roberto.

Bayern pushed forward more in search of the equaliser in the second half although they failed to create chances, while at the other end Zidane missed a good chance in the 62nd minute when he sidefooted into Kahn's arms.

Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas; Salgado, Bravo, Helguera, Mejia; Guti, Beckham, Figo, Solari; Zidane, Raul. Substitutes: Cesar, Portillo, Cambiasso, Pavon, Borja, Nunez, Juanfran.

Bayern Munich (4-4-2): Kahn; Sagnol, Lizarazu, Kuffour, Kovac; Demichelis, Ballack, Ze Roberto, Hargreaves; Pizarro, Makaay. Substitutes: Rensing, Rau, Jeremies, Salihamidzic, Santa Cruz, Linke, Schweinsteiger.

Referee: U Meier (Switzerland)