Having started slowly we grew into the game and Reyes hit narrowly wide after a sweeping passing move. Reyes again went close late in the half, hitting the bar after some fine play from Henry. A top draw Gilberto tackle kept the scores level at half time; we were nearly there.
The high tempo continued in the second half, but now Real were starting to look more threatening. A ten minute spell of pressure was capped by a Raul double effort, first hitting the post and then he was only denied by a most superb save from Lehmann who some how managed to claw the ball out from a tough position.
Real rarely troubled us after that, their fight seemed to have gone. Pires almost netted from inside his own half but his effort came up short.
So the supposed 6-6 match was settled by one brilliant solo effort, who would have thought it? It was a fantastic night all around, bring on the next round!
Jens Lehmann (8) That amazing save swung the match. For me that beats the Seaman save against Sheffield United in the 02/03 semi, as it had so much more riding on it.
Mathieu Flamini (8) Easily his best game for the club.
Kolo Toure (8) A rock from start to finish. The fat Ronaldo never had the beating of him.
Philippe Senderos (8) One of his best performances for the club.
Emanual Eboue (7) Got forward to support Bobby / Freddie.
Jose Reyes (7) Deserved to get the goal that his performance meritted.
Cesc Fabregas (7) Ran the midfield for the most part.
Gilberto (7) A rare fine game.
Freddie Ljungberg (8) Full of running and tracked back well.
Alexandre Hleb (8) A fine all round display. He is starting to look settled now having played in a few consecutive games.
Thierry Henry (8) A real captians display.
Subs:
Robert Pires (7) Slotted straight into the game.
Dennis Bergkamp (6) Played almost as a centre back late on, filling in any defensive gaps.