Kingpins put in a Real fighting performance

A BREATHTAKING four-goal second-half burst put Real Madrid on course for their fifth appearance in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in as many seasons after the La Liga kingpins turned the tables on a resolute AS Monaco that led 1-0 at half-time.

Real Madraid 4 Monaco 2

Sébastien Squillaci bundled in a loose ball on 43 minutes to give the French side the lead, but Madrid upped the tempo after the break and once Iván Helguera had pulled them level six minutes after restart, the home side took control in stunning fashion although a late Fernando Morientes header might yet prove significant.