Real book place in next phase

Injury-hit AS Roma battled to a 1-0 win against Lokomotiv Moscow in their Champions League Group A match to move a step closer…

Injury-hit AS Roma battled to a 1-0 win against Lokomotiv Moscow in their Champions League Group A match to move a step closer to qualifying for the second phase.

Brazilian winger Cafu was credited with the 78th-minute winner after his long-range drive deflected off Lokomotiv defender Igor Cherevchenko, sending goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin the wrong way.

The result, on a cold Moscow night, virtually dashed the Russians' hopes of making it into the second round. Both teams had their chances.

"We played a very good game against strong opponents and I'm more than happy with the outcome," said smiling Roma coach Fabio Capello. "Both teams played to win, but in my view, a draw would have been a fairer result for both sides."

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In Brussels, Real Madrid booked their place in the second group phase of the Champions League by cruising past Anderlecht 2-0.

Real strolled to victory over a disappointing Belgian side, lacking firepower and weakened by injuries.

The Spanish champions went ahead in the 18th minute when a powerful shot from outside the penalty area by Roberto Carlos took a wicked deflection off Raul and flashed into the net.

England's Steve McManaman doubled Real's lead in the 35th minute when he fired home a shot into the top right-hand corner of the net and the game was effectively over by half-time.

Real have a perfect record with four wins from four games.

In Arsenal's Group C, German side Schalke 04 cruised to their first Champions League win by trouncing 10-man Mallorca 4-0 away.

A close-range strike from Marco van Hoogdalem and a penalty by defender Tomasz Hajto gave the Germans a two-goal cushion in just 22 minutes.

Lazio kept their slim hopes of making the second stage of the Champions League alive with a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven - their first win in Group D.