Real Madrid had to survive a second half fight back from Swiss side Zurich before claiming all three points in the opening game of the Champions League group stage.
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?Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after he scored during their Champions League soccer match against FC Zurich (FCZ) at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich September 15, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two free kicks, while Raul, Gonzalo Higuain and Guti added further goals in the Spanish side's 5-2 away win.
However, Real Madrid struggling to holding on to a 3-2 lead before Ronaldo and Guti scored late goals to give the final result a healthier look.
After the weekend's 3-0 win away to Espanyol, coach Manuel Pellegrino brought Ronaldo back into the starting 11 along with central defender Pepe.
The Portuguese international was making his first appearance for the club after being banned for 10 Primera Liga matches for aggression at the end of last season.
The first half saw Real Madrid in total control against a rival that was not close to the level of the Spanish side.
The only surprise was that it took Real 26 minutes to open the scoring. Ronaldo fired home a powerful free kick from outside of the penalty area.
It was the first free kick he has scored since his 95 million Euro arrival from Manchester United over the summer.
Raul added a second goal after 34 minutes. Higuain did well to work a chance and all the Real Madrid captain had to do was slot the ball home from close range.
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Hannu Tihinen (R) of FC Zurich (FCZ) is challenged by Real Madrid's Kaka during their Champions League soccer match at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich September 15, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Higuain added a third on the stroke of half time. He worked the shooting chance himself and left the Swiss keeper with no chance.
The game looked to be a walkover for Real, but in the second half, Zurich fought back bravely and two goals in the space of a minute got them right back into things.
Things began to go wrong after Xabi Alonso had to leave the pitch with knee injury.
After 64 minutes Xavier Margairaz scored a penalty after Iker Casillas had fouled Alexandre Alphonse and a minute later it was 3-2 after Sylvan Aegerter nodded home from a corner.
That was the sign for Zurich to go all out for the equalizer as Madrid suffered for 25 minutes.
However, Ronaldo's second goal of the night following a disastrous error from Zurich keeper Johnny Leoni, calmed nerves among the Spaniards and Guti's 94th minute goal following a Kaka pass gave the final score a sheen that five minutes earlier had looked unlikely.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)
