European Champions League

AC Milan 1 - Real Madrid 1

Milan: Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Borriello (Inzaghi 78'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol, Pepe, Arbeloa; Lass, Xabi Alonso; Kaká, Higuaín (Raúl 73'), Marcelo; Benzema (Van Nistelrooy 81'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 29. Benzema. Scored from wide angle after Dida pushed out Kaká's shot.
1-1. 35. Ronaldinho (penalty). After Pepe handled ball inside penalty area.

After losing their last Champions League game at home to AC Milan, Real Madrid needed a result to get their campaign back on track. And Benzema got them off to a good start, turning the ball past Dida from a wide angle on the half hour mark after the keeper could only push Kaká's deflected shot in to his path.

Five minutes later however the Italians were awarded a rigorous penalty after the ball hit Pepe on the arm inside the area, and old enemy Ronaldinho stepped up to fire the spot kick in to the top corner of the net. The referee compensated his decision though, ruling out a strike by Pato shortly before half time for what he considered to be a previous foul.

The pace quietened down after the restart, substitute Inzaghi missing an easy chance and Kaká and Raúl going close at the other end. But finally both teams considered that a draw was good enough, taking both a step further to a place in the next round.