Real in plane fire scare

The Real Madrid squad were caught up in a terrifying mid-air drama when the plane carrying them home from Moscow last night caught fire.

Defender Ivan Helguera described how he and his team-mates feared for their lives when one of the engines burst into flames.

"It was the worst moment of my life," said Helguera. "You realise that everything could finish in a minute."

The incident unfolded as the squad were heading back to Spain after their 2-0 Champions League defeat against Locomotiv.

The alarm was raised when several players noticed one of the plane's engines was on fire. The Futura airliner immediately turned back to the Russian capital where it eventually landed safely.

Helguera told Spanish daily Marca of the horror that gripped the players: "It just gives you time to say goodbye to yourself," he said.

Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane were among a number of high-profile players who had been left at home with Real having already qualified for the second phase. But Spanish internationals Pedro Munitis and Fernando Morientes, along with England star Steve McManaman, were on board the flight.