Macca secures Real's passage

Real Madrid are through to the second stage of the Champions League as Raul and Steve McManaman scored the goals in a 2-0 win at Anderlecht.

They may be languishing in 16th place in La Liga but Real continued their good form in the Champions League by beating a rather forlorn-looking Anderlecht to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group A.

Both goals came in the first half at the Constant van den Stock Stadium in Brussels and despite visibly taking their foot off the gas in the second half, Real had already done enough to claim all three points.

Both teams took a short while to settle down in tonight's game but after the first ten minutes, there was only one team in it as Anderlecht looked increasingly frightened at the prospect of taking on their Spanish rivals.

Mornar Ivica was the most active Anderlecht player during the opening minutes but unfortunately for the home fans not one of his team-mates was on hand to meet his crosses from the right flank.

Real once again looked sharper than they have in their domestic league this season and they took the lead with a fortuitous goal after 18 minutes as Roberto Carlos's thundering low drive from outside the box took a significant deflection off Raúl Gonzalez.

Almost sensing this was never going to be their night, the poor Belgians packed up and went home after the opener, allowing McManaman the time and space to smash home a second for the visitors on 35 minutes signalling the end for Aime Antheunis's men.

Real could quite easily have added to their tally before half-time but with Sunday's match against Celta Vigo undoubtedly at the backs of their minds, Real decided victory was not going to come at a price.

Anderlecht meanwhile were left free to attack César Sanchez's goal but the Belgians lacked the necessary quality up front to make the most of their efforts.

Real top Group A with a maximum 12 points and can relax for their final two games in the first phase.

Anderlecht on the other hand are almost out and will be unless they win their final two matches against Lokomotiv Moscow and Roma.