Raul’s priceless double puts Real on the brink of last eight

Real Madrid 3 AC Milan 1

Raul's double at the Bernabeu stadium, coupled with a late effort from Guti, means the nine-time continental kings are poised to qualify from Group C at the expense of Germany's Borussia Dortmund who, despite trouncing Russia's Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0, remain a point adrift going into the final pool match.

Real have eight points from five games to seven for the Germans.

And the Spaniards have the seemingly easier final fixture as they travel to Moscow to complete their group programme next Tuesday whereas Dortmund must visit Milan's San Siro.

In addition, should Real and Dortmund finish level on points the Madrid giants would progress having collected four points from the fixtures between the two.

Not for the first time, Raul proved he is worth his goal-scoring weight in gold in a side which has struggled to hit top form in Europe in recent weeks, before Guti added a third after Rivaldo had given AC Milan a brief hope of a point.

Raul, the 25-year-old veteran of three Real successes in European football's premier club competition, opened the scoring on 12 minutes with his 41th goal in the competition and sixth of this campaign, shooting home left-footed from just inside the box after Roberto Carlos flicked the ball to him following a run down the left.

The Italians, who won their opening four group matches without conceding a goal to stroll into the last eight, showed more urgency after the break. Rui Costa, on for Dalla Bona, drove just over in the 55th minute.

But within seconds Raul put the issue beyond doubt with his second goal of the evening. Faced with having to get past Martin Laursen and Fernando Redondo, the Madrid matador dragged the ball back with his left foot, taking out both men, then smote a rising drive from the edge of the box past Abbiati.

Former Real favourite Redondo received a generous ovation from the crowd when he gave way to Andrea Pirlo with 11 minutes remaining before Rivaldo gave Milan an 81st-minute consolation, heading in a Paolo Maldini cross.

Guti restored the two-goal margin on 86 minutes from close range after Raul and Zidane exchanged passes in the inside left channel for his fifth goal of the tournament.

A late strike from Igor Tudor earned Juventus a 3-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna, almost guaranteeing a place in the quarter-finals for the Serie A champions and eliminating the Spaniards.

Basle who drew 1-1 with Manchester United can only pip Juve to second place behind the Old Trafford team if they beat the Italians by four or more goals next week.

Juve took the lead against Depor when Ciro Ferrara headed in a 12th-minute corner from Mauro Camoranesi.

But Diego Tristan levelled for the visitors after getting a touch on Roy Makaay's low cross from the right.

Holland international Makaay netted his ninth goal of the competition to put Depor in front six minutes into the second half.

However, Juve disappointing in their 3-0 reverse at home to United last week stepped up the pressure on the Spaniards and were rewarded with a David Trezeguet goal just past the hour mark.

And Tudor stunned Depor with his winner deep into injury time.