ROUND-UP: GROUP C:Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal as Real Madrid beat FC Zurich 1-0 to go clear at the top of the group. The Argentine striker was played through by Kaka to score after 21 minutes but despite their dominance Real struggled to add to their lead.
The biggest cheer of the night came when Cristiano Ronaldo replaced Raul midway through the second half, returning to action after two months out with an ankle injury.
Real camped on the edge of the Zurich area and it was Kaka who prised open their massed ranks. The Brazilian, who had already had a long-range effort saved, danced past two players before slipping the ball into the area for Higuain and the Argentine beat Johnny Leoni with a low shot.
Xabi Alonso stung Leoni’s hands with fierce drive and Marcelo cracked a superb volley against the post at a corner, but there was little else to cheer.
The appearance of Ronaldo to warm up just after the break brought the home fans to life briefly, and he was roared on to to the pitch after 67 minutes. But the Portugal forward failed to lift Manuel Pellegrinis side.
In the closing stages substitute Rafael van der Vaart was played through on goal but blasted over the bar with only the keeper to beat, and Leoni saved one-handed from Ronaldo after a surge into the area.
AC Milan and Marseille must wait until the final round of matches to see who reaches the Champions League knockout stages after the sides drew 1-1 at the San Siro.
The Serie A outfit are a point above Didier Deschamps’ team and a win at FC Zurich next month would put them through, leaving Marseille to battle leaders Real in France for the other spot.
The hosts went ahead on 10 minutes when striker Marco Borriello ambled past centre back Gabriel Heinze in the box and calmly finished.
The lead did not last long, however, with Milan’s defence looking as shaky as Marseille’s as Lucho Gonzalez slotted in and the visitors hit the woodwork twice in the second half.
Group A: A Fernando header helped Bordeaux retain top spot with a 1-0 home win over Juventus. The French champions, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, now have 13 points, five ahead of second-placed Juve with a game to spare. Juventus will join them in the knockout phase if they do not lose at home to Bayern Munich in their next game.
Bordeaux dominated and eventually broke the deadlock after the interval when midfielder Fernando headed in a Jaroslav Plasil free kick. Bayern Munich kept their hopes of advancing alive with a 1-0 win over Israel’s Maccabi Haifa after Croatian Ivica Olic tapped in the winner in the 62nd minute.
