Real Madrid 1-0 FC Zurich

Real Madrid took a massive step towards the Champions League knockout stages with a 1-0 win over FC Zurich at the Bernabeu.

The La Liga leaders moved top of group E on match-day five thanks to a first-half goal from Argentinean forward Gonzalo Higuain.

It was a double celebration for Real after they welcomed back injury victim Cristiano Ronaldo for a second half cameo.

If Real avoid a heavy defeat against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in their final match they will reach the last-16 of the competition.

The French side put themselves in contention for the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw at the San Siro with AC Milan, Lucho Gonzalez cancelling out Marco Borriello's early strike for the home side.

The Rossoneri can only guarantee a place in the next round by winning at FC Zurich on December 8th.

Elsewhere, in group A, Juventus succumbed to a shock 2-0 defeat at Bordeaux, who wrapped up victory in the group thanks to goals from Fernando Menegazzo and Marouane Chamakh.

The Serie A giants must avoid defeat in a winner-takes-all final group game against Bayern Munich to qualify after the struggling Bundesliga outfit beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0 through an Ivica Olic strike.