Morientes keeps Real on course

A Fernando Morientes brace secured a 3-2 win for Real Madrid as they beat Sparta Prague in tonight's high-voltage Champions League clash.

The game got off at an alarming pace with both teams having a number of chances in the first 10 minutes.

But it was Real who got off to the better start when Zinedine Zidane put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes with a shot that took a deflection and looped over the Sparta keeper.

The Spanish outfit then looked to tightened the screw and nearly grabbed a second three minutes later when Morientes was left free, only to blast his shot against the left post.

Sparta however showed they were still a threat when they pulled a goal back on the half hour following some clumsy defending by the visitors. A loose ball fell to Rastislav Michalik who rifled past a helpless Iker Casillas.

Six minutes later Real regained their lead in classic fashion when Michel Salgado's centre fell to Morientes and he made no mistake, smashing the ball in under the bar from six yards.

The excitement didn't let up during the second half as Sparta pushed forward in droves in an attempt to level the score.

Casillas pulled out a tremendous save to deny Flachbart who had the Real 'keeper at full stretch to palm away his long range effort that was heading straight for the top corner.

The Real keeper couldn't hold a low swerving drive from Sparta's Libor Sinko, however, and just seconds later the Czechs once again pulled the score level.

But just a minute later Morientes grabbed Real's third and his second of the night to secure the win for this year's favourites.

Brazilian Roberto Carlos cut inside the area and fired straight at 'keeper Petr Cech's legs and the rebound fell nicely to Morientes who tapped home.

Sparta did have Real against the ropes for the final quarter of an hour but were unable to redress the balance even when Casillas fumbled in stoppage time leaving Flachbart to launch the ball wide of the target.