The hand of Raul may have helped determine Leeds' Group D fate at the Bernabeu Stadium, but it is the knee of Lucas Radebe which could ultimately determine the outcome of their Champions League campaign.

Spain international Raul scored Real's first and third goals - one with his hand and the other more legitimately with his head - to guarantee European champions Real top spot in Group D and Leeds the runner-up position.

But of more pressing concern to manager David O'Leary will be the heart-breaking loss of centre-back Radebe with what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury in the 65th minute.

Spain has not been kind to Radebe as it was in Barcelona at the end of September, and in Leeds' first Champions League match, that Radebe suffered concussion after an accidental clash of heads with team-mate Michael Duberry.

In the Bernabeu Stadium, and with O'Leary's side having just conceded their third goal, South Africa international Radebe cleared a Geremi header from his own penalty area with his left foot.

But in doing so, his right leg remained rooted to the turf, with his knee buckling awkwardly and with a look of excruciating pain on his face underlining the serious nature of the injury.

The 31-year-old was first helped to the sidelines and then stretchered off around the outside of the ground after physio Dave Hancock had signalled to the bench that Radebe would play no further part in the game.

If Radebe, who has admitted to knee trouble as part of the reason for his decision in putting the brake on his international career, is in for a lengthy lay-off, it will leave O'Leary without two key centre-backs given Jonathan Woodgate's ongoing trial at Hull Crown Court.

That could prove crucial if Leeds are to progress beyond the quarter-finals where they will now face one of the other three group winners, which may include Manchester United come the draw on March 16.

They at least gave a more spirited showing in front of the watching Spanish than they did when they were hammered 4-0 by Barca, and when beaten 2-0 by Real at Elland Road in November.

They were certainly unfortunate to be a goal down at the break, even though there was an element of luck in the way they had stunned Real by taking the lead.

This supposedly 'dead' tie, with both sides already through to the last eight, exploded into life inside the opening eight minutes and all thanks to the shocking ineptitude of the Polish officials.

Leeds signalled their intent they were out to top the group as they made a dream start as the now fruitful partnership of Mark Viduka and Alan Smith worked their magic in the sixth minute.

Smith, though, was at least a yard offside in receiving Viduka's low cross from the right wing, and with the linesman clearly behind the play, the 20-year-old took full advantage as he slipped his 12th goal of the season past advancing keeper Cesar.

How ironic that Leeds were denied what seemed to be the winner in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday from almost identical circumstances.

But if Smith's goal was hard on Real then what followed less than two minutes later was a clear injustice as Raul punched a Luis Figo free-kick past Nigel Martyn.

The reaction of the 34-year-old and the Leeds players should have told referee Ryszard Wojcik that something was undoubtedly wrong as they screamed their anger.

But despite the Maradona-like quality of Raul's equaliser, Wojcik and his second linesman remained unmoved, leaving Leeds to feel the rough hand of Lady Luck slapping them in the face again.

After Smith had aimed a downward header at Cesar and chances had gone begging for Raul, Santiago Solari and Steve McManaman, the fickle finger of fate again played its part.

An innocuous-looking cross from the edge of the area from Figo hit the mound created on the corner of the six-yard box by Martyn for his goal-kicks, with the ball taking a wicked deflection as it bounced high over the Cornishman.

But undaunted, Leeds were level within nine minutes of the second half as Viduka headed home his 17th goal of the season - and his third in four games - by latching onto an Ian Harte corner.

Again, though, there joy was shortlived as £37million man Figo and Raul combined for the second time, with the Portugal international whipping in a cross for the Spanish striker to first beat David Batty to the ball and then glance a superb header into the bottom-right hand corner of the net.

Radebe's injury soon added to the woes of O'Leary, who then watched Viduka miss two almost identical chances with angled drives, the first of which clipped the angle of bar and post, with the second high over the woodwork.

Although there was no disgrace in Leeds suffering their first Champions League defeat to the reigning European kings since the humiliation to Barcelona, the loss of Radebe could prove crucial.

Teams:

Real Madrid: Cesar Sanchez, Geremi, Hierro, Karanka, Solari, Makelele (Savio 87), Celades, McManaman, Figo (Rivera 90), Morientes (Munitis 75), Raul.

Subs Not Used: Casillas, Salgado, Guti, Tote.

Booked: Makelele, Figo.

Goals: Raul 7, Figo 41, Raul 59.

Leeds: Martyn, Harte, Radebe (Kelly 65), Ferdinand, Matteo, Bakke (Wilcox 85), Dacourt, Batty, Kewell, Smith, Viduka.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Burns, Maybury.

Booked: Batty, Kewell.

Goals: Smith 6, Viduka 54.

Att: 40,000

Ref: Ryszard Wojcik (Poland).