Real Still Wary Of United Threat

It is a mark of just how well Real Madrid played in a dizzying Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United on Tuesday that the players came away from the Bernabeu frustrated at "only" claiming a 3-1 win.

"It was a real shame that we let them score," said Real's two-goal hero Raul.

"The crowd saw a fantastic game, with lots of goals, chances and controversy. We deserved the win but the result is not definitive, with the second leg in mind."

Inspired by the untouchable Zinedine Zidane in midfield, Real were 2-0 up within 28 minutes with a curling Luis Figo strike and an artful turn and shot from Raul.

The 25-year-old Raul then scored his 43rd Champions League gaol, drilled in from the edge of the box, to make it 3-0 four minutes into the second half.

Real were on course to record a victory of heroic proportions but they were stunned as Ruud van Nistelrooy headed in his 11th goal of the Champions League campaign, a record for an individual season.

That gave United a "ray of hope", in the words of their manager Alex Ferguson, and left Real frustrated at not finishing the job.

"We could have made certain of a place in the semi-finals, particularly if some of the refereeing decisions had gone our way," said defender Michel Salgado.

"We played a great game and we deserved to have won by a greater margin."

United's away goal means a 2-0 win in the return leg at Old Trafford would be enough to book a semi-final against Juventus or Barcelona and keep them on course for a final that will be played at their home ground in May.

So superior were Real in attack on Tuesday, though, that few would bet against the Spaniards scoring an away goal of their own in the second leg.

"We may not win the second leg but we will be doing everything to score," said Zidane, who looked in a class of his own in midfield. "That will leave Manchester having to score four to knock us out.

"It would have been much better to win 3-0 than 3-1. Their goal means the return in Manchester will be more difficult."

"We played a good game, though. It was brilliant -- a match between two great teams."