Real deal a tough blow to United's Champions League hopes

Real Madrid took a huge step towards progressing to this season's European Champions League semi-finals with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Manchester United in their quarter-final first leg.

The nine-times kings of Europe and defending champions can thank their Spanish international striker Raul Gonzalez for providing two of the goals but the former World Players of the Year, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo, were the true architects of the victory.

United had three early chances in quick succession but Real still wasted little time in making their mark, going in front after 12 minutes.

Real counter-attacked after an overhead bicycle-kick from Ruud van Nistlerooy had just skimmed beyond the post, and the speed of their response left the United defence struggling to adjust to the change of direction.

Zidane laid the ball out wide to his left and Figo, poised on the edge of the area, sent a curling right foot shot beyond the outstretched arms of Barthez and into the top left hand corner of the Frenchman's goal.

The world's most expensive player was the service provider again for Real's second goal after 28 minutes.

Zidane spotted England defender Rio Ferdinand just a fraction out of position and that Raul had space on the left side of the box.

He sent an inch-perfect pass to Raul's feet and, with clear sight of Barthez's goal, the Spanish sharpshooter didn't falter in finding the net.

Despite the two goals, the game had been a scrappy affair up to that point with Real taking advantage of United's defensive frailty rather than demonstrating any of their style and substance, but Raul's strike provided the European champions with the chance to settle.

For the remainder of the first half they moved the ball around with ease, threading silky passes together and leaving United trailing in their wake most of the time.

Ronaldo could have added another goal for Real eight minutes before half time when he broke from the midfield and rounded three United men only to finish with a weak shot straight at Barthez.

Madrid started the second half at full throttle and finally did get their third goal just four minutes after the break.

Luis Figo pulled the ball back from deep down the right flank and found Raul positioned on the edge of the area and ready to blast it past a helpless Barthez with his left foot.

United replied quickly when van Nistelrooy headed home his 11th goal in this season's European campaign after 52 minutes, after Casillas parried a goalbound effort by Ryan Giggs.

The goal served as a warning that Real couldn't let their guard down against an opponent as dangerous as United and the Madrid back four heeded the advice.

United relentlessly pushed forward for the remainder of the match in search of a second vital away goal but couldn't breach Real's solid defence again.

Real must now defend their two-goal lead at Old Trafford in two weeks time and Raul had said before the game that regardless of the advantage Real could not relax before both legs of this tie are over.

Nevertheless, despite Raul's words of caution, there will be a quiet confidence - although not complacency if Real coach Vicente Del Bosque is true to form - that they will be making a second trip to United's home ground, this time to contest the Champions League final there on May 28.