Beckham blow in Real victory

Banned: David Beckham will miss the return leg

14 April 2012

David Beckham's joy at Real Madrid's scintillating Champions League quarter-final victory over Monaco last night was tarnished by the knowledge he will miss the return leg in 12 days' time.

Beckham picked up an injury-time booking for a foul on midfielder Jaroslav Plasil that rules him out of the match in Monaco after he and his Real team-mates were forced to come from behind in the Bernabeu.

Real's 4-2 victory over a spirited French side should be enough to see them through to a semi-final against either Arsenal or Chelsea, but Monaco produced enough to show that Beckham's passage to a dream meeting against English opposition won't be a formality.

Beckham said: 'It was unfortunate to pick up a yellow card but I thought we did really well tonight especially in the second half. We pushed forward and created a lot of chances and showed what we can do.

'I felt a lot better tonight. I felt tired in the last few games but I wasn't tired at all tonight.

'I was pleased with my performance and pleased we've got one foot in the semi-final.'

As well as earning an untimely caution, the England captain was left as an injury doubt for the friendly international against Sweden in Gothenburg next week. But he added: 'I got a knock on my thigh and calf in the first half and I think it's just a dead leg.

'I don't think it's a problem, but I'll know tomorrow. I hope to be fit for the weekend.'

Monaco were slow to get into their rhythm, but Didier Deschamp's men quickly settled some early nerves and began to trouble Real's superstars with some swift attacking play.

Fernando Morientes, returning to the Bernabeu for the first time since being loaned to Monaco by Real at the start of the season, had a great opportunity in the 17th minute but could only steer a header wide.

Morientes then provided a flick for Ludovic Giuly to break clear before rounding Real keeper Iker Casillas, only to see his goal-bound shot cleared by Michel Salgado.

Real coach Carlos Queiroz had been boosted by the return of Brazilian striker Ronaldo after a four-match lay- off with a thigh injury. However, Queiroz was without his other Brazilian, Roberto Carlos, and when replacement Raul Bravo limped out in the 28th minute it further unsettled Real's defence.

But Monaco had to wait until two minutes before the break to make their dominance count, opening the scoring through a Sebastien Squillaci strike from close range.

However, Real roared out of the blocks in the second half and were on level terms just after five minutes thanks to an Ivan Helguera header from a Beckham corner.

The equaliser spurred Real on and wave after wave of attacks finally saw them take the lead in the 70th minute. Zinedine Zidane broke down the left before pulling the ball back to Figo in the area. The Portuguese winger blasted his shot at Monaco keeper Flavio Roma, who could only palm his save into the path of Zidane to slot his shot in at the near post.

Just over five minutes later Real extended their lead after Squillaci was adjudged to have felled Ronaldo in the area. Figo stepped up to take the resulting penalty and despite Roma saving his initial effort, he followed up to head home the rebound.

The goal set up a scintillating last 10 minutes. Ronaldo gave Real a healthy advantage for the away leg by firing in a Zidane pass from the edge of the area on 81 minutes. But Morientes headed home a precious second away goal two minutes later.

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