Real Madrid 1 - Partizan Belgrade 0

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Pavón (Guti 46'), Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Iván Helguera; Figo, Raúl, Zidane (Solari 79'); Ronaldo (Portillo 79'). 4-2-3-1.
Partizan: Pantic; Savic, Nenad Djordjevic (Brnovic 90'), Ognjanovic, Malbasa, Rzasa (Stojanoski 46'); Duljaj, Sasa Ilic, Nadj (Cakar 92'), Drulovic; Iliev. 5-4-1.

Goals:
1-0. 38. Raúl. Got last touch after Figo headed in Beckham corner.

Group F :
Real Madrid.............. 9 points
Porto............................ 4 points
O. Marseille............... 3 points
Partizan Belgrade... 1 point

Real Madrid won their third match in a row, beating Partizan Belgrade by a single goal to move five points clear at the top of their group. The Spaniards were on top for most of the match and should probably have won by a bigger margin if it were not for a confident performance by third choice keeper Pantic, who was making his European debut for the visitors. The youngster was one of several forced changes in Lothar Matthaüs's side, and a full strength Madrid fancied their chances against a team who had only picked up a point in their first two games. But as the game wore on they were unable to find the target, and ended up relieved to have won the game.

David Beckham passed a late fitness test to play, and was involved in most of the attacking moves, setting up Roberto Carlos from a corner for him to drive a shot wide, and going close with a low free kick. Seven minutes before the break his inswinging corner was headed goalwards by Figo, and Raúl got the slightest of touches with his head from a possible offside position to put off Pantic and guide the ball in to the net.

Beckham was in the action as well early in the first half when Drulovic got free on a quick counter-attack, the England captain blocking the winger's shot with his leg as it was heading goalwards (although Casillas may have had it covered). Ronaldo had a chance to make it two after creating space with a quick turn but he fired his shot just wide, and Pantic made first class saves from Beckham and then Figo as they waltzed through the inexperienced defence.

But the Serbs still only needed one goal to save a point, and late substitute Cakar gave the fans a near heart attack in the last minute when he shot just wide. Not the best of victories for the Spaniards, but a victory none the less and they are already virtually through to the play off stages. The downside though was an injury to Beckham, and he may be out for a couple of games as a result.