Real Madrid were unable to conquer their Lyon jinx when the French side hit a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw while Nicolas Anelka scored both goals for Chelsea in a 2-0 win at Copenhagen in first-leg matches of the last 16 of the Champions League Tuesday, dpa reported.
Former Lyon striker Karim Benzema struck for Real in the 65th minute within a minute of coming off the bench at the Stade de Gerland following a neat combination between Mesut Ozil and Cristian Ronaldo.
Benzema took the ball in the area before evading three players in a run across goal before turning the ball past Hugo Lloris in goal.
But Real's hopes of a first win in seven meeting with Lyon were dashed when Bafetimbi Gomis levelled from close range seven minutes from time after Cris headed on a free-kick into the area
The result still leaves the Spanish giants, who had been beaten on their three previous visits to Lyon, well placed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2003-2004 season.
Real, who were also eliminated by the French side last season in their sixth successive exit at the last-16 stage, began tentatively and Gomis could have scored after Iker Casillas spilled the ball in the area but the striker fired well over the bar.
Real were stronger after the break when Ronaldo struck the far post from a free-kick, and Sergio Ramos headed against the bar from a corner a minute later.
In Copenhagen, Anelka punished the Danish champions with crisp finishes in each half as Chelsea shrugged off their indifferent domestic form for a comfortable victory.
Chelsea settled quickly against a Copenhagen side who had not played a competitive fixture since December 7 because of their league's winter break.
The Danish outfit, in the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time, were soon on the back foot against a Chelsea side showing four changes to the side which was knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton Saturday, including a place on the bench for Didier Drogba.
Former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer inadvertently set up the first goal on 17 minutes when a back pass near the right half-way touchline was intercepted by Anelka.
The France striker, partnering Fernando Torres up front, tore forward before driving a low right-foot shot past Johan Wiland in goal.
Anelka was again on target nine minutes after the break when he was set up by a fine Frank Lampard pass to hit another right-foot shot past Wiland.
The final two first-leg matches of the round take place Wednesday when holders Inter Milan meet Bayern Munich, and Marseille take on Manchester United.
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