Football United

This was a very exciting match in the early going as Zlatko Zahovic fired Benfica into the lead in the first minute of play.

The Slovenian international controlled the ball well before firing a low shot from 20 meters out into the right hand corner of the goal and well out of Iker Casillas’ reach.

But Real Madrid responded quickly and evened the score line just two minutes later.

Zidane was first to get on the end of a David Beckham cross, but his well placed header was brilliantly saved by the finger tips of French keeper Yannick but the rebound fell neatly for Ronaldo who was left with a simple tap-in.



Beckham nearly fired Madrid in front in the 15tth minute but his powerful strike from outside the box hit the bar and bounced on the line. Raul was first to get to the loose ball but his goal was disallowed because he was deemed to be in an offside position.

No scoring until the second half, when Fernando Morientes capitalized on some sloppy defending and thrashed the ball past substitute goalkeeper Jose Moreira.

But Benfica gave the home fans something to cheer about as Giovanni headed home an injury time equalizer and salvage some pride for the Portuguese giants.



After the match Jose Antonio Camacho said he was impressed with the way Trapattoni organized his former club and that he hopes Madrid do not have to play Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers.



Benfica: Yannick (Moreira, m. 56); Miguel, Ricardo Rocha (Amoreirinha, m.60), Argel, Dos Santos (Fyssas, m.71), Geovanni, Petit (Bruno Aguiar, m.60), Paulo Almeida, Simao (Joao Pereira, m.56); Zahovic (Manuel Fernandes, m.80), Sokota (Mantorras, m.79).

Real Madrid: Casillas (César, m.46); Salgado, Samuel (Mejía m.85), Helguera, Roberto Carlos (Raúl Bravo, m.46); Núñez (Miñambres m.70), Beckham (Pavón, m.46), Guti (Celades, m.70), Zidane (Solari, m.46); Raúl, Ronaldo (Morientes, m.46).

Goals: Zahovic (1’), Ronaldo (2’), Morientes (76’) e Geovanni (91’).

Source: goal.com