Steaua 1 – 4 Real Madrid

Steaua 1 – 4 Real Madrid

64' Badea - 9' Sergio Ramos 34' Raúl 56' Robinho 76' Van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy became only the third player to score 50 goals in the European
Champion Clubs' Cup with an astute chip as Real Madrid CF moved to within striking
distance of a place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League with
a commanding victory at FC Steaua Bucuresti.

Masterful Madrid
Madrid took an iron grip on the Group E game with first-half goals from Sergio
Ramos and Raúl González before Robinho effectively settled the
match as a contest shortly after the restart. Valentin Badea offered Steaua
faint hope when he reduced the deficit on 64 minutes but Van Nistelrooy crowned
an excellent performance from the visitors when he chipped superbly over Carlos
Fernandes with 14 minutes remaining.

Expectant crowd
The Steaua Stadium was packed long before kick-off and the expectations of a
raucous home crowd were close to being met straight from the start as Iker Casillas
rushed from his line to punch clear from Banel Nicolita. Madrid, though, soon
took the game to the Romanian champions. Robinho, in for the injured José
Antonio Reyes, forced Carlos into a save before the visitors produced the riposte
they so needed following Saturday's defeat by Getafe CF. Guti sent in a corner
from the left on nine minutes and Ramos climbed highest to head Madrid in front.

Dica chance
Somewhat surprisingly this was the first meeting between these two illustrious
sides and they were putting on a show worthy of the occasion. Carlos again saved
well from Robinho before Casillas produced an even better stop at the other
end, spectacularly clawing away Nicolae Dica's curling shot. Robinho's deft
touches and clever flicks were a joy to watch and it was the Brazilian's delicate
pass infield to Emerson that led to Madrid's second goal eleven minutes before
half-time. His compatriot fed Van Nistelrooy and though Carlos again blocked
his effort, Raúl was on hand to turn the rebound into an open goal.

Robinho class
Even Steaua fans stood to applaud when Robinho curled in Madrid's third eleven
minutes into the second half. Coach Fabio Capello's decision to leave Ronaldo
on the bench was thorougly vindicated as the 22-year-old calmly sidestepped
Rahamin Klemi Saban before firing beyond Carlos, albeit with the help of a deflection
off Dorin Goian. Eight minutes later Badea had the home support back on their
feet, this time in celebration of a Steaua goal as he made the most of some
uncertainty in the Madrid defence to turn in substitute Cyril Thereau's low
cross.

Perfect chip
Unexpectedly Steaua were back in contention, but their hopes were dashed by
Van Nistelrooy, the Dutchman somehow digging the ball up and over Carlos from
eight metres to join Raúl and Andriy Shevchenko on 50 European Cup goals.
On a night of milestones, David Beckham came on to make his 100th UEFA Champions
League appearance as Madrid rounded off the evening in style. They have now
scored nine times in two continental outings and will qualify with another victory
against Steaua in a fortnight's time

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