Arsenal's Thierry Henry (R) fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos during their Champions League first knockout round first leg soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid February 21, 2006. Arsenal won 1-0. (Xinhua/Reuters)

LONDON, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Injury-hit Arsenal became the first English team to beat the nine-times European champions Real Madrid in European competition at home, winning 1-0 Tuesday in the first knockout round of Champions League.

    Thierry Henry helped the former England Premier champions take an upper hand with the advantage of an away goal, which was among the only five goals on the night.

    European champions Liverpool did not fare quite so well Tuesday night, losing 1-0 to Benfica in Lisbon after a headed goal from Luisao six minutes from time.

    Olympique Lyon, tipped as dark horses to reach the final in Paris in May, also ended the night 1-0 winners over PSV Eindhoven as Juninho Pernambucano scored after 64 minutes.

    Bayern Munich failed to win at their new home for the first time in 15 matches in all competitions as AC Milan forced a 1-1 draw. Andriy Shevchenko's penalty 13 minutes after the break cancelled out Michael Ballack's stunning 23rd-minute opener.

    Arsenal, with none of the 14 players appearing on field against Real were English, had long be dotted a side out of form and written off by almost everyone.

    The gunners took control of the game from the first minute and had three scoring chances in the opening exchanges before Real had even got into their stride.

    

Arsenal's Thierry Henry (R) of France celebrates his goal against Real Madrid with his team mate Alexander Hleb during their Champions League first knockout round first leg soccer match at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium February 21, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

Without the likes of Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Lauren, Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp, the visitors hardly allowed Real to play all night, and came out more ambition, drive and determination when Henry scored two minutes into the second half.

    The Frenchman struck after dispossessing Ronaldo near the halfway line and evading three challenges on a mazy run before steering the ball past Ilker Casillas.

    Henry's goal, among the 201 goals the striker has now scored for Arsenal and the 40 he has netted in Europe, sent Real crashing to their first home defeat in the competition in 19 matches since October 2002.

    The first knockout round continues on Wednesday with Chelsea facing Barcelona, Rangers playing Villarreal, Ajax Amsterdam meeting Inter Milan and Werder Bremen hosting Juventus. Enditem