Real blitz Marseille to open in style
Marseille took a shock lead on 26 minutes when striker Didier Drogba found himself in space after collecting a pass from fellow forward Mido and rifled a powerful shot past Real keeper Iker Casillas.
But the French side barely had time to finish their celebrations before Real were back on level terms after left back Roberto Carlos cracked a volley hard into the ground and over the head of keeper Vedran Runje.
With Marseille still reeling, Real struck again, this time through Ronaldo. The lively Michel Salgado made good ground on the right, nipped in behind the Marseille defence and slipped the ball square to Ronaldo who slotted in unopposed.
Real added two more goals early in the second half, Ronaldo with a sharp finish and Luis Figo notching a penalty four minutes later before Marseille grabbed a late consolation with a header from defender Daniel van Buyten.
UEFA Cup holders FC Porto found life tough in the Champions League when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Partizan Belgrade.
Lothar Matthaus's Partizan side went behind to a goal from Costinha but battled back into the sides opening Group F game to level the scores and earn a deserved point.
FC Porto went 1-0 up after 22 minutes when Portuguese international Costinha met a corner from Deco with a powerful header that Partizan's goalkeeper Radovan Radakovic got a hand to but could not stop.
Deco and Brazilian striker Derlei, who scored 13 times in his side's run to the UEFA Cup, were constant threats but Porto failed to break down a rearguard policed by Nigerian veteran Taribo West.
In the second half, substitute Ljubinko Drulovic a former Porto player passed intelligently towards striker Andrija Delibasic who narrowly failed to get a boot to the pass.
The young striker was on target soon after although the build-up was scrappy.
A free-kick from Ljubinko Drulovic hit West in the back and the ball dropped for Delibasic who volleyed past Vitor Baia.
Porto will have to raise their game considerably for the visit of Real Madrid on October 1, while Belgrade must go the cauldron of Marseille's Velodrome.
Celta Vigo were denied a victory in their first ever group stage fixture as nine-man Club Brugge KV fought back for a draw in Belgium, Juanfran's opening goal cancelled out by substitute Bengt Sæternes.
Bayern Munich captain Oliver Kahn will not face punishment for criticising his English team-mate Owen Hargreaves, the club said last night.
The Germany international goalkeeper claimed that Hargreaves lacked the discipline to play in the midfield holding berth of the injured Jens Jeremies during Bayern's 3-2 defeat to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said that as captain Kahn had "a privileged position" and would not be fined.
But Hitzfeld added: "Although he can give his opinions as captain, he is not allowed to criticise his teammates."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
