Zidane strike sees Real through against Bayern

Real Madrid claimed a place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a first-half strike from Zinedine Zidane gave them a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in a fiery encounter at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The French midfielder fired home unopposed at the near post after Michel Salgado made the most of indecision in the Bayern defence to head a deflected David Beckham pass across goal and ensure the Spanish champions earned a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Real, without injured striker Ronaldo and suspended fullback Roberto Carlos, started slowly but gradually warmed to the task and subjected the visitors to some heavy pressure midway through the first half.

But it was only uncharacteristically poor defending from the Germans and hesitation by goalkeeper Oliver Kahn that allowed Salgado and Zidane to combine to break the deadlock on 32 minutes.

Bayern responded well, though, and were twice denied an equaliser just before halftime, keeper Iker Casillas turning a Roy Makaay shot round the post and Salgado making a desperate goal line clearance from a thundering drive by Claudio Pizarro.

Substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger added bite to the Bayern midfield in the second half but it was Real who went closest to scoring again when Guti had a close range effort blocked by Kahn six minutes from time and Raul then hit the side netting.