Gonzalo Higuain scored Wednesday to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over FC Zurich and take it to the verge of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
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Higuain beat goalkeeper Johnny Leoni with a low shot in the 21st minute in a Group C match that also saw the return of Cristiano Ronaldo after nearly two months out because of an ankle injury.
Madrid stayed top of the group with 10 points and can even advance in its last game against Marseille with a defeat since it won the first meeting 3-0.
Marseille stayed alive with a 1-1 draw at AC Milan. Milan has eight points, Marseille seven and Zurich was eliminated from all European competitions as it is last with three points.
The crowd at Santiango Bernabeu stadium cheered in the 70th when coach Manuel Pellegrini replaced Raul Gonzalez with Ronaldo, whose last club game was against Marseille on Sept. 30 when he scored twice. Since then, he has only played 27 minutes for Portugal.
Ronaldo managed a few touches, none better than in the 90th as Esteban Granero played him clear into the area, but Leoni got down to stop his angled shot. The Spanish leaders, who were keen for Ronaldo to play with a league "clasico" against Barcelona to come on Sunday, improved after he came on in a match it had dominated.
Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini applauded his team's strong defense but is concerned about its overall play.
"Of course, I'm worried. The team somehow does not really end up playing properly on the field," the Chilean said. "It's not the football the team needs to be playing - but we're winning."
