Milan edge to victory

Shevchenko celebrates scoring the winner

AC Milan 1-0 Real Madrid

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Andriy Shevchenko struck five minutes before half-time as AC Milan beat European Champions Real Madrid in Champions League Group C.

Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa split the Real defence with a perfect through ball into the path of the Ukrainian who fired past Real keeper Iker Casillas.

Photo Gallery: Champions league round-up

Both sides created ample chances in a hugely entertaining match and Real thought they had equalised in the second half after a goal line scramble followed a Zidane header.

Raul forced the ball over the goal line but the linesman flagged for offside and the effort was disallowed.

Six minutes after the interval Rui Costa forced an outstanding save out of Casillas with a dipping shot after some brilliant approach play from Rivaldo.

And then Clarence Seedorf should have done better when he rushed a shot wide following a surging run from midfield from the combative Massimo Ambrosini.

Raul went close for Real with a header just over the bar from a wicked Roberto Carlos cross.

And then Zidane forced Dida into another low save with a fierce drive as he sought to complete a characteristically swift counter-attack.

But Milan hung on for a deserved victory.

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AC Milan: Dida, Simic (Chamot 89), Costacurta, Maldini, Kaladze, Seedorf, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Rui Costa (Serginho 75), Rivaldo, Shevchenko (Tomasson 81).
Subs Not Used: Abbiati, Helveg, Inzaghi, Pirlo.

Booked: Gattuso.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Pavsn, Helguera, Salgado, Cambiasso (Solari 75), Celades, Carlos, Figo, Zidane, Raul, Morientes (Portillo 60).
Subs Not Used: Cesar, McManaman, Tote, Minambres, Ruben.

Booked: Pavsn, Helguera.

Attendance: 75,777

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland).