Becks becomes vital again

MADRID - REAL Madrid and Bayern Munich experienced their worst and best in Tuesday's Champions League clash, which ended 3-2 in the Spaniards' favour.

The Germans appeared dead and buried, but recovered with a goal two minutes from time to take two valuable away goals for the second leg on March 7.

Real looked revitalised before succumbing to what their coach Fabio Capello described as fear.

But, for David Beckham, 31, it was a good day at the office. He played key parts in each of Real's goals and overshadowed new England favourite Owen Hargreaves.

So England manager Steve McClaren's job ahead of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on March 24 has just got harder.

Will he recall Beckham or will he continue to leave him out?

Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn described Beckham's performance as 'world class'.

There were even chants of 'Beckham! Beckham!', which have not been heard since the early days of his stint in Spain.

Even Capello, who only last month insisted that Beckham would never play for Real again, admitted: 'He played very, very well - and has done since he came back into the team. That is a fact - and one I recognise.'

After the game, Beckham, cast aside by McClaren soon after the World Cup last year, again pleaded his England case.

'My ambition has never changed since the age of 13, even younger. I always wanted to play for my country and I will always be available whether I'm in Spain for the next four months, or whether I'm in LA,' he told Sky News.

'I will always want to do well for my country.'

Beckham's influence on Tuesday was felt as early as the 10th minute.

His pass found former Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who set up for Raul to score, reported The Guardian.

Bayern levelled after 23 minutes. Willy Sagnol swung in a free kick from the right, goalkeeper Iker Casillas stayed rooted to his line and Lucio headed home.

It was a temporary reprieve. Beckham's corner reached Ivan Helguera, whose header dropped in just below the crossbar as Raul rushed in. Helguera celebrated but Raul claimed the goal.

Five minutes later, another dead-ball, another Beckham delivery, another Helguera header and another goal. This time van Nistelrooy fired home to bring the score to 3-1.

Beckham even had a free kick tipped over the bar in the opening moments of the second half.

Then fear took hold of Real.

Said Capello: 'Maybe there was a psychological issue there. We tied up, like a tennis player whose arm goes. Teams have scored a lot of goals at the Bernabeu and we suffered a kind of fear.'

Bayern's Mark van Bommel rifled in a fierce half-volley in the 88th minute for their second goal.

'We realised too late that Real were there for the taking,' said captain Kahn, whose side, like Real, are on a dreadful run of form in their domestic league. 'We need to set the Allianz Arena ablaze for the second game. Our second goal could be vital.'

Real Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic had said before Tuesday's game that the club were working on 'Plan B' should Capello's team fail.

But, thanks to Beckham, Capello's head remains intact.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE