Owen’s Real winner: Real Madrid 1-0 Dynamo Kiev

Owen’s Real winner

Real Madrid 1-0 Dynamo KievMADRID, Spain, Oct. 20 – England striker Michael Owen scored the only goal as Real Madrid hung on to beat Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Champions League Group B match on Tuesday evening

Owen, the former Liverpool football star, was given his first start by Madrid, and could not have been a happier man after finally finding the net in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium

Owen turned in Ronaldo's cross on 35 minutes to claim what proved the decisive goal, but not long before Luis Figo had been taken off injured.

After the goal, Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine had Real Madrid on the back foot, as the home team uncharacteristically defended their lead for long periods. Dynamo, with their Brazilian forwards, created several excellent scoring opportunities as they pressed forward, although Real also made several good chances as they counter attacked.

"It's a great feeling to finally score," admitted Owen after the game, the goal relieving him of huge pressure. "I couldn't have picked a better time, in front of the home fans, the Champions League, a massive game. It's a big thrill.”

Real president Florentino Perez, for whom Owen was a personal signing, went into the dressing room after the game to congratulate him.

"He said to me, 'the first of many'," revealed a relieved Owen.

Owen's goal was hardly a classic.

"I had been asked to work the flanks and I know Ronaldo likes to work around the box, it was funny that (my first goal) came about the opposite way around, but our understanding is getting better," said Owen.

After getting his first start under new Real coach Mariano Garcia Remon, after five games on the bench, Owen may have to settle for a place on the substitutes bench again, despite his impact against Kiev.

Garcia Remon praised Owen's contribution but refused to guarantee him a place in the starting lineup in the Spanish league game against Valencia on Saturday, despite the fact that Real are marooned in the middle of the table and have not won in their last three outings.

"Michael did everything I asked of him. I wanted mobility at the front. He was very active, good at getting the ball out wide to the flanks and he was fighting for everything," said Garcia Remon.

"The best players are never happy being on the bench but Michael's had a great attitude and he responded when I wanted him to."

The result leaves both teams on 6 points at the top of Group B along with Bayer Leverkusen who came from behind to beat Roma 3-1 in the other match. Roma have yet to claim their first point, after 3 of the 6 match days.