Morientes clinches Real win

Luis Figo darts between two Sparta Prague players

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Sparta Prague 2-3 Real Madrid
Phase two
Group C

Striker Fernando Morientes scored twice to help Real Madrid get the second stage of their Champions League campaign underway with victory away to Sparta Prague.

After a slow start Real began to threaten in attack and they took the lead after 20 minutes through Zidendine Zidane.

The Frenchman's left-foot shot was slightly deflected and arced high into the net past Czech keeper Petr Cech.

Sparta equalised out of the blue on the half hour when Ratislav Michalik latched onto Libor Sionko's cross and drove the ball beyond Iker Casillas.

Inch perfect

However, Real went back in front six minutes later.

Raul's astute through ball found overlapping full back Michel Salgado and the marauding Morientes converted his inch-perfect cross from inside the six-yard box.

After the break Real continued to enjoy the majority of the possession, but Sparta had their chances.

The hosts finally equalised after 72 minutes when Sionko's shot was deflected past Casillas.

They looked as though they were gaining the upper hand, but Real can be an irresistible force going forward.

Poacher's goal

And they scored the winner less than two minutes after Sparta had drawn level.

Brazilian wing-back Roberto Carlos hared down the left and cut inside the area.

Sparta keeper Cech blocked the Brazilian's low shot with his legs, but Morientes was onto the loose ball in a flash to score a true poacher's goal.

A Jiri Jarosik header caused a few palpitations in the Real rearguard ten minutes from time but the visitors held on for the victory.

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Teams:

Sparta Prague: Cech, Labant, Hasek, Flachbart, Jiri Novotny, Kincl, Michalik, Hartig, Sionko, Hubschman, Jarosik. Subs: Spit, Zelenka, Holub, Papousek, Abanda, Sloncik, Mynar.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Carlos, Hierro, Zidane, Helguera, Raul, Morientes, Figo, Makelele, Pavsn. Subs: Cesar, McManaman, Guti, Geremi, Celades, Solari, Munitis.

Referee: Stefano Braschi (Prato)