Madrid, Bayern keep perfect record with late goals

Associated Press, London

Head to head: Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (left) is challenged to head the ball by Auxerre's Cedric Hengbart during their Champions League soccer match at L'Abbe Deschamps stadium in Auxerre, France, Tuesday. Madrid won 1-0, thanks to Angel di Maria’s late goal. -- AP
Nine-time winners Real Madrid took control of their Champions League group with a 1-0 victory over Auxerre on Tuesday as AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Ajax.

Substitute Angel Di Maria scored in the 81st minute to clinch Madrid's second straight win in Group G.


"We knew it would be a very hard game, I prepared it well tactically," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. "Six points is very important in a hard group."

The Spanish side has a two-point lead over seven-time champions Milan, who relied on Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal against former club Ajax to salvage a point.

Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Marseille kept the London club top of Group ahead of Spartak Moscow, who also have six points after beating Zilina 3-0.

Arsenal beat 10-man Partizan Belgrade 3-1 to stay top of Group H on goal difference after Shakhtar Donetsk won 3-0 at Braga.

Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Basel 2-1 thanks to Bastian Schweinsteiger's second-half doube, making them two wins out of two in Group E. AS Roma bounced back after their opening defeat to Munich to defeat Cluj 2-1 to join their Romanian opponents on three points.

Defending champions Inter Milan are in action on Wednesday at Werder Bremen in one of eight matches.

Jose Mourinho, who led Inter to itstitle in May, saw his new Madrid side waste a string of chances in Auxerre despite dominating possession.

Pepe almost scored an own goal with 10 minutes left by heading Kamel Chafni's cross against the post.

But a minute later, defender Alvaro crossed from the right and Di Maria controlled it with his chest before beating goalkeeper Olivier Sorin with a powerful shot.

In Amsterdam, Ajax captain Luis Suarez gave the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute, darting past Alessandro Nesta after playing a one-two with Urby Emanuelson on the left flank before providing a cross for Mounir El Hamdaoui, who slotted in from close range.

But former Ajax stars Clarence Seedorf and Ibrahimovic marked their return to the Amsterdam Arena by combining to snatch an equalizer in the 37th.