Benzema on target in San Siro stalemate

Champions League round-up:The clash of the two European giants in Group C saw AC Milanheld to a 1-1 draw by Real Madridat the San Siro with the two sides still set to go through to the last 16.

French striker Karim Benzema gave Real the lead in the 29th minute with his first Champions League strike, but Ronaldinho replied with a penalty 10 minutes before the break.

Alexandre Pato had a goal controversially disallowed moments later before Dida denied Raul a late winner in a dramatic game at the San Siro.

Kaka was given a warm reception on his return to the San Siro but, after he inspired Real to a bright start, that applause soon turned to jeers.

Sergio Ramos and Benzema both sent shots inches wide of the post, with goalkeeper Dida clearly beaten on both occasions.

Milan threatened against the run of play when Clarence Seedorf sent Pato clear on Iker Casillas, but the Real goalkeeper kept his composure to save with his right hand.

Real then took a deserved lead in the 29th minute when Kaka skipped past Clarence Seedorf, who practically invited him to shoot.

His effort took a slight deflection off Thiago Silva, which probably did enough to prevent Dida from holding onto the ball. It spilled into the path of Benzema, who shot into the far corner from a tight angle.

Milan responded and were gifted the chance to equalise when Gianluca Zambrotta’s cross hit the arm of Pepe, just a yard away from him, inside the penalty area.

German referee Felix Brych, who will take charge of Ireland’s play-off game against France at Croke Park, pointed to the penalty spot and Ronaldinho blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

The game was transformed and Milan looked to capitalise with Pato scoring what looked like a perfectly valid goal, but Brych saw something he did not like in the build-up and ruled it out.

There had been such a pace to the first half that the second 45 minutes simply could not carry on in the same manner, and so it was that the game lost its way slightly.

The best chance for Milan was squandered by Filippo Inzaghi — who, like Raul, was sent on as a final throw of the dice.

He was on the end of an inviting cross from Massimo Oddo in the 84th minute, but Pepe did just enough to unsettle the Milan striker, who lifted the ball over the crossbar from point-blank range.

And Dida saved Milan in the 89th minute with a fine reflex save to turn Raul’s shot behind for a corner when it looked like the Spaniards were going to steal victory.

Marseillehammered FC Zurich6-1 at the Stade Velodrome to keep up the pressure on the top two sides.

Marseille took control after four minutes when Silvan Aegerter put through his own net following a free-kick delivered from the left by Fabrice Abriel.

Seven minutes later midfielder Abriel left the Swiss defence stranded with another free-kick curved into the net from the same position.

The home side had a lapse in concentration on the half hour when Zurich’s French striker Alexandre Alphonse took advantage and reduced the deficit with a right footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Marseille, however, ran riot during the second half, with Mamadou Niang adding the third goal seven minutes after the restart after playing a one-two with Bakari Kone.

Brazilian central defender Hilton headed the fourth 10 minutes from time before Benoit Cheyrou and Brandao added further goals.

Portowill join Chelsea in progressing to the last 16 from Group D after they secured a 1-0 victory away to a resilient APOELside .

Falcao scored the winner six minutes from time to reward the visitors’ dominance in Nicosia after they had been frustrated time and again.

Bordeauxmade it through to the last 16 for the first time after they claimed a fine 2-0 victory away to Bayern Munichin Group A, a result that will heap pressure on their coach Louis Van Gaal.

French playmaker Yoann Gourcuff struck in the late stages of the first half and Marouane Chamakh netted near the end to put Laurent Blanc’s side through with two games to go.

Juventuslook set to take the other qualification spot as they won away 1-0 against Maccabi Haifathanks to a goal by Mauro Camoranesi n the stroke of half-time.

Wolfsburgclosed the gap on Manchester United in Group B as the German side secured an emphatic 3-0 victory in Turkey over Besiktas.

The Bundesliga side threatened to run their hosts ragged in a blistering opening when they were rewarded with a goal by Zvjezdan Misimovic but they had to wait until the final 10 minutes before they wrapped up victory with two further strikes from Christian Gentner and Edin Dzeko.