An early goal from Real Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez gave his side a 1-0 win away to Belarus side Bate Borisov on Tuesday and in doing so qualify them for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Raul controlled a cross from Royston Drenthe after six minutes of the game, which was played in freezing temperatures in Minsk, before firing into the roof of the net.
Real Madrid's win, combined with Zenit Saint Petersburg's failure to beat Juventus means there is no way the Spaniards can finish below the Russian team.
Raul's goal was one of the few moments of merit of a game where a below strength Real Madrid were content to spend the first half dealing with attempts of their rivals to get back into the game.
The Spanish team were clearly technically superior to Bate, who never really threatened in the first 45 minutes.
Bate Borisav came out for the second period determined to make a game of things and the match became a physical affair with both Guti and Sergio Ramos needing bandages following aerial challenges, while two of their rivals -- Alexander Volodko and Maksim Skavysh -- had to be substituted after opening up nasty head wounds.
Nevertheless, for all of the efforts of their opponents, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was a virtual spectator all game and the good news for coach Bernd Schuster is that his side's final group game, just three days before they play bitter rivals FC Barcelona in the Primera Liga, now counts for very little, allowing him to rest key players.
Source: Xinhua
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