Van the man misses late penalty as Lyon hold Real

Real Madrid missed the chance to go top of group E when they were held 2-2 by Champions League rivals Lyon at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lyon raced into an early lead and with seven minutes remaining still held a 2-1 lead after Ruud van Nistelrooy had managed to sandwich a goal in between strikes for the visitors from John Carew and Florent Malouda.

Former Manchester United striker van Nistelrooy could have secured victory from the spot kick however his effort six minutes after his equaliser was turned away by France keeper Gregory Coupet.

And Real then had former Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra to thank for a late equaliser which ensured they took a share of the points.

The result means Lyon remain top on 13 points, with Real - who were also qualified for the knockout phase before kick-off - in second on 10.

Steaua Bucharest remain third on four points after their draw at home to Dynamo Kiev.

Lyon coach Gerard Houllier admitted it was one of the most difficult matches they had played in the competition.

But he added: "There were a lot of positives, but at the very top level when you create chances you can't afford to miss them."

"But I can't fault the players' commitment."

Real coach Fabio Capello claimed that Lyon's first goal was off-side, but added: "Lyon showed they are a difficult team to beat."

Lyon began the match without a handful of regulars including Brazilian forward Fred, Karim Benzema, Sidney Govou, and Sylvain Wiltord, who is ill.

Gerard Houllier's men controlled the opening period and had big Norwegian striker Carew to thank for their opening.

Having given Real defender Fabio Cannavaro a taste of his technique, the Norwegian finally got the better of the Italian to beat Iker Casillas in the Real goal in the 11th minute.

Capello later said: "Trying to mark Carew would have been difficult for any player."

"I know him well because I've seen him play in Italy, but I've never seen him play like he did tonight."

Carew then turned provider for Tiago, who this time failed to beat the Spanish keeper.

On the half hour Casillas could do nothing against Malouda, who snuck in and got his head to a stray ball close in after a free kick from Juninho.

And Capello later admitted: "What can you do against a player who strikes the ball like Juninho ? He's a phenomenon."

Real were dominating, but the scoresheet was saying otherwise.

Capello substituted Guti for Jose Antonio Reyes, and that seemed to give the hosts some pep.

Coupet was forced to parry a shot from the right from Reyes in the 34th minute, and five minutes later Diarra struck for the hosts after latching on to a Reyes corner from the left.

Real continued to dominate in the second half, and after six minutes' play Coupet was forced to block an effort from Sergio Ramos following a free kick from Roberto Carlos.

Five minutes later the Frenchman blocked an effort from Brazilian forward Robinho following a corner.

Real's persistence was finally rewarded when van Nistelrooy's effort bobbled over the line after a cross-goal header from Raul.

Five minutes later Coupet did superbly to keep out the Dutchman's effort from the spot after he had been fouled by Lyon defender Cris.