Real Madrid 1 Steaua 0

A calamitous own goal from midfielder Banel Nicolita cost FC Steaua Bucuresti a share of the spoils at Real Madrid CF as the Spanish side progressed into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.



Cruel misfortune
Steaua had started the night third in Group E but produced a tireless display to keep the home team at bay. Just when it seemed they might leave the Santiago Bernabéu with an unexpected point, however, Nicolita's back-pass completely evaded goalkeeper Cornel Cernea to break the Romanian title-holders' resistance. Ruud van Nistelrooy promptly wasted an opportunity to make the game safe as he blasted a spot-kick high into the stands, but Madrid nevertheless benefited from Nicolita's misfortune to join section leaders Olympique Lyonnais in the last 16.

Nicolita threat
Having lost 4-1 in Bucharest a fortnight ago, Steaua understandably began in a cautious frame of mind, but urged on by a significant number of visiting supporters they quickly found their feet and carved out the first chance after ten minutes. Nicolita was the architect, escaping on the right and crossing dangerously for Iker Casillas to claw away with three Steaua players waiting to pounce. Madrid countered through efforts from distance by Robinho and Roberto Carlos which failed to trouble Cernea.

Great goalkeeping
As Steaua found more room to manoeuvre in the centre of the field, so their play improved accordingly. Petre Marin had an curling shot palmed away by the flying Casillas on the half-hour while Daniel Oprita might have done better from a corner but could only scoop high over the bar. However, the opportunity of the half fell to Van Nistelrooy, who was denied by a remarkable point-blank save from Cernea, and the Steaua keeper then managed to scramble the ball off the line with his outstretched foot as the Dutchman attempted to turn in the rebound, before eventually clearing with assistance from Dorin Goian.

Madrid misses
The Merengues finally found their rhythm as the second half got under way and captain Raúl González should have given Madrid the advantage when he jinked into the area only to fire wide of Cernea's near post. Moments later Robinho's deep left-wing delivery was met at the far post by Sergio Ramos who cushioned the ball across the face of goal where Iván Helguera contrived to lift it over the bar. Madrid continued to press and substitute David Beckham's right-wing free-kick was met by the unmarked Sergio Ramos but again the chance went begging.

Penalty miss
Just as it seemed the breakthrough would never arrive, Nicolita – under little pressure – totally misdirected his pass towards Cernea to give Madrid a 70th-minute lead they were never to lose. The custodian then tripped Van Nistelrooy as the Madrid forward threatened to add a second, but the latter's aim from the spot was wayward. Madrid had already had their slice of fortune for the night, however, leaving Steaua to battle with FC Dynamo Kyiv for the consolation of third position and a UEFA Cup place.