Kyiev 2 Real Madrid 2

Ronaldo inspired a sensational Real Madrid CF comeback, scoring twice in three minutes late in the match to salvage a point at FC Dynamo Kyiv.





Dramatic finale
Madrid looked to be heading for a surprise UEFA Champions League Group E defeat after Maksim Shatskikh scored twice for the home side in the first half, before Ronaldo converted a David Beckham corner on 86 minutes and then made no mistake with a penalty he had earned to ensure honours ended even. The dramatic finale had no bearing on the outcome of the group but was tough on fourth-placed Dynamo, who had been poised to finish an otherwise forgettable campaign with a prize scalp.

Point to prove
Dynamo coach Anatoli Demianenko had urged the Ukrainian team to "fight for victory" and they carried out his instructions to the letter, bristling with determination and enthusiasm throughout. Meanwhile, already assured of second spot, Fabio Capello opted to leave several of his Madrid luminaries in Spain and others on the bench, yet was still able to field a side boasting nearly 400 UEFA Champions League appearances. It was one of the visitors' unheralded players, however, who had the first shot on goal, with midfielder Rubén de la Red driving just over from long range on seven minutes.

Opening goal
With Beckham drifting inside from his position on the left of midfield, Dynamo were exploiting the space down their right and it was from a raid along that flank that the hosts made the breakthrough on 13 minutes. A dipping cross from Valentin Belkevich was met by Shatskikh, who stole in behind Álvaro Mejía to steer the ball past Diego López for his tenth UEFA Champions League goal. Beckham was in the thick of the action, displaying his full range of passing, and Antonio Cassano might have done better with a defence-splitting pass from the former England captain on 17 minutes.

Crucial second
Madrid were left to rue that miss on 27 minutes when Shatskikh scored his second. Neat interplay between Oleh Gusev and Artem Milevskiy prized open the Madrid back line and Shatskikh beat López at the second attempt. Dynamo had registered only three goals in their first five group games but now had two inside the opening half-hour against the Spanish giants.

Hat-trick chance
Uzbek forward Shatskikh almost completed a sensational hat-trick just after half-time, being centimetres away from connecting with a teasing delivery from Gusev. Beckham, Madrid's standout performer, went even closer on 53 minutes, crashing a sweet effort against the post before Roberto Carlos unleashed a trademark strike which forced a flying save from Olexandr Shovkovskiy. With his team in need of inspiration, Capello resisted the temptation to introduce Ruud van Nistelrooy or Robinho, instead bringing on Javi García and Borja Valero who had one appearance in the competition between them. Yet the coach's blushes were spared by Ronaldo who fired in a crisp left-footed shot from close range, then kept a cool head to send Shovkovskiy the wrong way from the spot.