Champions League - Real Madrid 4 Anderlecht 1

Real Madrid did the damage in the first half after Anderlecht had hit the bar in the early stages of this game and now the European champions can ease back from Champions League action for the next ten weeks with a certain place in the quarter finals only one win away.

Giant Czech striker Jan Koller muscled his way onto a through pass and struck a shot against the cross bar in the opening exchanges of this match but in the 12th minute Real took control with a masterpiece of a goal from Fernando Morientes.

The striker drifted and jinked past two defenders before switching the ball between his feet and smashing a great shot past goalkeeper Filip De Wilde.

Eleven minutes Real added a second when Luis Figo easily converted a penalty after Glenn de Broek had fouled Raul in the area.

By this stage Real were working as well as they had at Leeds two weeks ago.

Their most impressive player for long spells in the first half was Steve McManaman who used the ball very well to work space around his colleagues and hardly wasted a pass or any effort.

Ivan Helguera hit the third when he steered in a corner kick which dropped in front of goal.

The last time Real played Anderlecht they won 6-1 and a similar score line looked inevitable at that stage.

It did not work out that way for the champions but Roberto Carlos did hit the target with a drive in the 73rd minute with Stoica scoring in the last minute from a close range for a consolation.