Soccer: Raul sets European Cup scoring record

MADRID - Real Madrid striker Raul set a European Cup scoring record when he notched his 50th goal in the Champions League Group F match against Olympiakos Piraeus on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old headed the ball home at the near post after a beautifully flighted cross from David Beckham to put Real 1-0 up in the ninth minute.

The Spanish international equalled Alfredo Di Stefano's record of 49 goals last November when he scored in the 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the Bernabeu.

Di Stefano scored his 49 goals in 58 matches between 1955 and 1964, guiding Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cups during that period.

Raul has scored his 50 goals in 97 Champions League matches for Real Madrid since 1995, winning the competition on three occasions.

He played in the 1-0 final victory over Juventus in 1998, scored the last goal in their 3-0 win over Valencia in 2000 and the opener in their 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

- REUTERS