Owen thrilled by first goal

Michael Owen spoke with bravado about his future in Spain after breaking his Real Madrid duck with the sort of poacher’s goal for which he has become renowned.

His first-half strike earned Madrid a 1-0 win against Dynamo Kiev in Champions League group B, improving the Spaniards’ chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

Since his summer move from Liverpool, England striker Owen has found it difficult to nail down a regular place in the Madrid line-up, and it has also been a struggle to settle in the Spanish capital.

But Owen believes his first goal, a close-range prod following a left-wing cross by Ronaldo, will have a tremendous impact on his career at the Bernabeu.

“This was a massive game, so to score the winner in front of your home fans in a Champions League match was a great feeling,” said Owen.

“I just wish the timing could have been a bit better, in that maybe I could have scored it a little sooner.

“I think we were all a little edgy at first tonight but scoring settled me right down. It’s what I have been waiting for since I came here.”