MADRID (AFP) - Spanish sharpshooter Raul's close range header seven minutes before the break propelled nine-times champions Real Madrid to the brink of the second phase of the Champions League after seeing off Group F rivals Partizan Belgrade.

Raul struck after Portuguese international Luis Figo knocked on a David Beckham corner and although there was a suspicion of offside the goal stood to preserve the Spanish giants' 100-percent record in the group.

But it was a dull performance which the two sides served up before watching UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his host Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

The two men will Thursday attend the opening of a two-day conference on aid to Iraq but whereas both are hoping for donations in abundance in contrast the Partizan defence came here determined to give nothing away.

Real had the lion's share of the possession but Partizan actually had more corners - seven to six - as they gamely chased a point following Raul's crucial intervention.

But the Spaniards had only themselves to blame for not winning by a more comfortable margin as a succession of half chances went astray.

"They were a dangerous opponent. But we have made it nine points out of nine and so we can be satisfied with that," said Raul.

Real now have a five-point cushion over Portuguese rivals Porto, who beat Marseille on Wednesday, whom they have already beaten away.