18 October 2006, by Sean Gillen

Punishing night for Carlos as Real Madrid hit form

Steaua Bucharest 1-4 Real Madrid

Portuguese goalkeeper Carlos had a night to forget as Real Madrid thrashed his Steaua Bucharest side, making qualification for the next round appear a difficult task for the Romanians. The former Boavista goalkeeper looked uneasy all evening, and may have done better with at least one of the visitors’ goals.

The Spanish giants took the lead shortly before the ten-minute mark when young defender Sergio Ramos met a Guti corner with a powerful header to give Carlos no chance.

Steaua’s star man Nicolae Dica forced an excellent save from Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, but Real doubled their advantage on 34 minutes. Carlos had already flapped at a Roberto Carlos shot when he made hard work of van Nistelrooy’s effort, spilling the ball into the path of Raul for the striker to tap into an empty net.

Robinho made it three in the second half when the young Brazilian cut in from the left and his right-footed effort was aided by the help of a deflection, which took it past the diving Carlos.

Valentin Badea got the home side back in the game with 25 minutes remaining when he lashed in a lose ball from inside the area, but Ruud van Nistelrooy put the seal on the Madrid win with a superb goal 12 minutes later. The Dutchman clipped an exquisite finish over the head of Carlos from just 10 metres out, although again the Portuguese may feel he could have done better.

It now appears difficult for Steaua to qualify for the knockout stages, with the side currently three points behind Real in third place, with a trip to the Bernabeu in the next match and a visit to Lyon’s Stade Gerland still to come.

Steaua Bucharest:
Carlos, Saban (Thereau, 59), Goian, Ghionea, Marin, Paraschiv (Oprita, 78), Lovin (Petre, 62), Bostina, Dica, Nicolita, Badea
Yellow Cards: Dica (28), Goian (75)

Real Madrid:
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Ivan Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Diarra, Guti (Beckham, 71), Robinho, Raul, van Nistelrooy (Ronaldo, 78)
Yellow Cards: None

Goals:
[0-1] Sergio Ramos, 9
[0-2] Raul, 34
[0-3] Robinho, 56
[1-3] Badea, 64
[1-4] van Nistelrooy, 76