European champions in fine form

Real Madrid CF sounded a message of intent ahead of their forthcoming UEFA Champions League title defence with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Liverpool FC tonight. It was the opening game of a four-team pre-season tournament at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium to celebrate the Spanish club's centenary.

Figo and Portillo score
Luis Figo put his FIFA World Cup disappointment behind him to put Madrid ahead on 40 minutes against a Liverpool side missing England stalwarts Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard. Javier Portillo then doubled the lead on the hour mark for a home side missing Raúl González, Fernando Hierro and Roberto Carlos, but particularly inspired by Figo and Zinedine Zidane.

Struggle for Liverpool
Liverpool did have a good chance to equalise when still 1-0 down through Emile Heskey, but generally their goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was their busiest player, having to deal with efforts from Savio and Figo as well as the goals.

Milan take on Bayern
Madrid go on to face the winners of tomorrow's match between Milan AC and FC Bayern München in the final on Sunday - with Liverpool taking on the losers.