Kiev - Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Dynamo Kiev in their Champions League match on Wednesday, leaving Group B wide open with two rounds remaining.
Nigerian midfielder Ayila Yussuf, who turns 20 on Thursday, gave himself a birthday present with his first Champions League goal, firing home in the 13th minute after his shot deflected off Michael Owen and wrong-footed Real keeper Iker Casillas.
Latvia striker Maris Verpakovskis made it 2-0 minutes later with a solo effort and the Ukrainian champions looked poised to take control of the game.
But Real, who conceded three goals in each of their last two Champions League away games, fought back with a vengeance despite missing three key players including England captain David Beckham through injury.
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| 'Real were nowhere to be seen as we dominated the game completely' |
Raul started the Spanish comeback in the 38th minute with his 48th Champions League goal N one behind former Real striker Alfredo Di Stefano's European scoring record.
Luis Figo, who turns 32 on Thursday, also had reason to celebrate a day early after threading a perfect pass to Raul, who gave Olexander Shovkovsky no chance as he slotted the ball into the corner with his left foot.
Figo then silenced a capacity 83 000 home crowd at Kiev's Olympic stadium, levelling the score with a 44th-minute penalty after Ronaldo was tripped inside the box by Dynamo's Moroccan international Badr El Kaddouri.
Despite conceding four goals between them, Shovkovsky and Casillas made several fine saves in a frantic first half.
Dynamo captain Shovkovsky stopped Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo while at the other end, Casillas made a great diving save to deny Oleg Gusev from the edge of the box.
Figo troubled the home side in the second half with his runs down the right flank and he almost put Real in front with a powerful strike 20 minutes from time only for Shovkovsky to make another fine save.
Owen, who had scored four goals in his last four games for Real, had a quiet night and was substituted in the second half.
Three teams in the group - Real, Dynamo and Bayer Leverkusen, who drew 1-1 at AS Roma - are level on seven points with two games remaining.
However, the result left both coaches frustrated.
"What can you say? To be ahead 2-0 and come away with only one point..." lamented a visibly upset Dynamo boss Josef Sabo.
"Real were nowhere to be seen as we dominated the game completely in the first half. It was a real pity to concede the first goal which gave them a chance for a comeback."
Real coach Mariano Garcia Remon said: "I'm not happy with the outcome because we were hoping for a win and, in my opinion, we were much closer to victory in the second half.
"But I count on my team not to miss our chance in three weeks when we host Bayer," he added.
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