Raul rescues Real Madrid

Real Madrid drew 1-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen after captain Raul came to the rescue and equalled Alfredo Di Stefano's record of 49 goals in the European Cup.

Real, who now must win their final Group B match at AS Roma on December 8 to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League, had a chance to snatch victory on Tuesday but Luis Figo's 81st minute spot kick was brilliantly saved by Hans-Joerg Butt.

Dynamo Kiev lead the group with 10 points with both Real and Leverkusen on eight points and AS Roma out of the reckoning with one. Dynamo and Leverkusen also meet on December 8.

The home side were on the ropes for much of the match and were in deep trouble when Dimitar Berbatov gave the visitors the lead nine minutes before the break, firing into the roof of the net from close range.

But Real claimed the draw thanks to a marvellous piece of individual skill from Figo and smart finishing from Raul 20 minutes from time.

The Portuguese midfielder weaved his way past three defenders, exchanged a smart one-two with Zinedine Zidane and slipped the ball to Raul, who guided it into the net from two metres out.

Leverkusen made a cautious start as they got men behind the ball, looking to play on the break and appearing content to hand the early initiative to Real.

But the home side struggled to make inroads against the Leverkusen defence and their only chance in the first quarter came when Raul screwed a close-range header over the bar after David Beckham had swept in a free kick from the right.

With Real failing to create any serious danger and the home crowd showing their impatience by whistling their own side, Leverkusen gradually grew in confidence and began to push forward in numbers.

They gave Real a warning of their intent in the 34th minute when Krzynowek sliced wide with the goal at his mercy after the ball fell to his feet seven metres out. Two minutes later, however, Leverkusen made no mistake.

BECKHAM OFF

Skipper Jens Nowotny clipped in a cross from the right, Andriy Voronin headed on to the bar and after the ball ricocheted off Real defender Walter Samuel, Berbatov smashed it into the roof of the net.

Real coach Mariano Garcia Remon rang the changes after the break, taking Beckham off and giving Fernando Morientes a rare run-out up front.

It was Leverkusen, though, who should have extended their lead six minutes into the second half after Samuel gifted possession to Berbatov 40 metres out from goal.

The Bulgarian slipped the ball to Krzynowek, who had a free run on goal, but keeper Iker Casillas responded with a brilliant reflex save to block the Pole's powerful shot.

Real finally burst into life 20 minutes from time when Figo set off on a wonderful mazy run to set Raul up for the equaliser and had it not been for some outstanding keeping from Butt the Spaniards would have claimed the win.

A minute after Ronaldo had hit the post from close range in the 77th minute, Butt produced a point blank save to deny Raul.