Real Madrid coasted past Swiss side Zurich thanks to a solitary first half goal from Gonzalo Higuain. The game will be noted more for the return of Cristiano Ronaldo than the footballing performance as the winger returned after an eight week lay-off.
Ronaldo almost grabbed all the plaudits with a stoppage time effort but his strike was well saved by Johnny Leoni in the Zurich goal.
The hosts started with real intent with Xabi Alonso and Kaka dictating the play and Zurich appeared to stand off them at times looking to contain Madrid before hitting them on the counterattack. Higuain seemed to find space at will and after a couple of sighters on Johnny Leoni's goal it seemed certain that the goal would come sooner rather than later.
The goal came at the 20 minute mark as the Argentinian evaded very slack marking from the Zurich defence, latching onto a tremendous through ball from Kaka and skipping into the box before beating the hapless Leoni at his near post.
Minutes later Alonso stung the palms of Leoni before Marcelo unleashed a stunning volley against the foot of the upright. Madrid were completely dominant and any hopes the visitors had of surprising them on the counter seemed highly unlikely with a tame Alexandre Alphonse effort from distance never troubling Champions League centurion Iker Casillas in the Madrid goal.
Silvan Aegerter and Alphonse each had half chances to test Casillas after the break, however both lacked the composure necessary to muster a meaningful strike on goal.
Bernard Challandes half-time team talk appeared to be having the desired affect as his team played with a far greater intensity in the second 45, not allowing Madrid's players time on the ball and closing them down at every opportunity.
Ronaldo's introduction for the final 20 minutes turned the otherwise hushed atmosphere at the Bernabeu up a couple of decibels and the Swiss resolve seemed to buckle at the very sight of the Portuguese winger as Marcelo crept to the byline and almost fashioned a near post goal for Higuain but it was blocked for a corner by Hannu Tihinen.
In the closing stages it was the Swiss that finished as the stronger side with a flurry of set pieces delivered into the Blancos box but the Madrid back line dealt comfortably with the threat and seemed content to run down the clock and take a single goal victory and another step towards the knockout stages.
The insurance goal nearly came in the dying minutes, firstly with Rafael Van der Vaart opting to shoot and firing over the advancing Leoni with Higuain better placed to roll the ball into an empty net before Ronaldo almost grabbed the headlines only to be denied by a fine save from Leoni from eight yards out.
Higuain's first half strike was enough however as Real take a step closer to the next round while Zurich are condemned to last place in Group C.
Paul Madden, Goal.com
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