Bayern stun Real

Luis Figo suffers as Real Madrid slump to defeat

Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich stunned Real Madrid and silenced the home fans with an excellent victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Giovane Elber's surprise 55th minute goal gave the Germans the win in a closely-fought game between two of Europe's biggest clubs.

But it was Oliver Kahn's heroics in the Bayern goal which stole the show in the Bernabeu and set up an intriguing second leg.

Bayern started brightly in spite of the intimidating atmosphere created by the home fans.

  Key moments

15 mins: Michel Salgado pass eludes Raul in penalty area

19 mins: Mehmet Scholl drags shot wide after Bayern break

29 mins: Kahn expertly saves Raul's goal-bound snapshot

37 mins: Guti fails to connect with Ivan Helguera's excellent cross

52 mins: Steve McManaman is denied by a brilliant one-handed save by Kahn

55 mins: Giovane Elber scores with a left-footed volley which Iker Casillas fumbles

57 mins: Helguera heads over from five yards out

But after Steffen Effenberg's free-kick was saved by Ilker Casillas, the Germans were soon on the back foot, with Real taking control of proceedings on their home turf.

Michel Salgado cut a pass back across the face of goal only for it to elude Raul surging into the penalty box.

It was a let-off for Bayern, who must have sensed that their best chances would come on the counter-attack.

And so it proved when deep in the Bayern half, skipper Effenberg set Hasan Salihamidzic on his way.

The Bosnian international crossed perfectly for Mehmet Scholl, who could only drag his shot wide.

Match-winner Elber slips a pass beyond Real's Karanka

After that attempt on 19 minutes, it was one-way traffic for Vicente Del Bosque's men for the rest of the half.

Portuguese superstar Luis Figo, who had been successfully contained by a resolute and efficient Bayern defence, started to make his influence on the field count.

And it was his exquisite pass through to Raul which nearly gave the Spaniards the breakthrough the home fans had been demanding.

But Raul's goal-bound shot was brilliantly saved by Kahn.

The competition's leading scorer looked on in despair and rightly felt aggrieved when he was not even awarded a corner for his efforts.

Having had the greater possession in the first half, Real must have fancied their chances going into the second.

But it was Bayern who came out all guns blazing, and a goal-line clearance by Fernando Hierro after some excellent play by Willy Sagnol in the 48th minute kept the score at 0-0.

The first goal came in the 55th minute when Casillas made a mess of Elber's well-struck left-footed volley which found its way into the Real net.

Real Madrid skipper Hierro sends Bayern's Mehmet Scholl flying

At the other end, Casillas' opposite number Kahn was in inspired form - making two brilliant saves to deny England international Steve McManaman.

Helguera should have equalised in the 57th minute but he headed over from five yards out.

Real continued to push on in pursuit of the equaliser - but Bayern still threatened on the break and nearly claimed a second, with Paulo Sergio going close late on.

The only disappointment on an otherwise successful evening was the booking of Effenberg, who now misses the second leg through suspension.

Real Madrid must now go to the Olympic Stadium and break down a slick German outfit, whose home record is one of the best in Europe.

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Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Carlos, Hierro, Helguera, Raul, McManaman, Figo, Guti, Karanka, Makelele. Subs: Cesar, Savio, Campo, Conceicao, Munitis, Celades, Solari.

Bayern Munich: Kahn, Sagnol, Lizarazu, Kuffour, Andersson, Scholl, Elber, Effenberg, Jeremies, Salihamidzic, Linke. Subs: Dreher, Sforza, Sergio, Tarnat, Jancker, Hargreaves, Santa Cruz.

Referee: H Dallas (Scotland)