Real Madrid 2 - Dortmund 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, Flavio Conceiçao; Figo, Raúl, Zidane (Solari 81'); Ronaldo (Guti 74'). 4-2-3-1.
Borussia: Lehmann; Evanilson (Ricken 83'), Wörns, Metzelder, Dede; Reuter (Kehl 76'), Frings; Ewerthon, Rosicky, Amoroso (Reina 67'); Koller. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 30. Koller. Controlled Rosicky pass and hit low shot wide of Casillas.
1-1. 43. Raúl. Poked ball through Lehmann's legs while lying on floor.
2-1. 55. Ronaldo. Turned ball under keeper after Zidane crossed in from right.

Group C:
AC Milan........................... 9
Real Madrid.................... 4
Borussia Dortmund....... 3
Lokomotiv Moscow....... 1

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and keep their hopes of reaching the quarter finals alive. After six games in the competition without a win, Del Bosque's side needed a victory in order not to fall behind their rivals, and he put out his best side missing only the injured Hierro. However they were frustrated by a well ordered defence who did not allow the Madrid strikers to settle on the ball at all in the opening half hour. Only an effort by Raúl which was saved by Lehmann and a possibly penalty on Salgado gave the crowd (which included Juan Carlos, the king of Spain) anything to shout about. And fans started to fear the worse when Koller pulled down a through ball from Rosicky and cracked a low shot past Casillas to give the German side the lead.

Figo hit the bar with a long shot and Ronaldo brought a good save out of Lehmann as Madrid pushed forward looking for the equaliser. Then two minutes before the break they got it with one of the strangest strikes of the season, a determined Raúl slipping on the ball in the penalty area but poking a shot through Lehmann's legs whilst lying on the ground with Metzelder and Wórns looking on.

The second half got off to a lively start, with Raúl bringing another save out of Lehmann and Casillas doing well to close down Ewerthon as he broke free. Ten minutes in to the second half the Spaniards hit what was to be the winner, Zidane drifting past his marker with ease on the right wing and curling a long pass into the path of Ronaldo who, although he mistimed his kick, managed to force his shot under the keeper.

The game continued from end to end under a freezing rain, but there was no more score and Madrid move up to second in their group, a point ahead of their rivals. They do have a tricky visit to Germany next Tuesday for the reverse fixture, but now their fate is now in their own hands. President Fiorentino Pérez looked a relieved man. After all the big spending, his side can't afford not to be present when the eight names come out of the glass bowls for the quarter final draw.