David O'Leary's proud European record as manager of Leeds was brought to a shuddering halt last night as his United side bowed to the kings of European football.

Two goals in two minutes in the second half was enough to end a run of 11 matches without defeat at Elland Road in both the UEFA Cup and Champions League in just over two years in charge.

O'Leary had witnessed many glorious nights at a venue which had become a graveyard for sides from the continent.

But Real showed just why they are one of the favourites to lift a trophy they won with consummate ease against Valencia in May, and for Leeds this second 'Group of Death' could sound their demise.

Having valiantly emerged from the previous round as runners-up to AC Milan, sending Barcelona crashing en route, they were rewarded with 'Mission Impossible: Part 2'.

Leeds must now head to the Bernabeu Stadium, as well as facing Italian champions Lazio and Belgian champions Anderlecht in their remaining matches.

O'Leary was brutally honest after the defeat, saying: "We were outclassed.

''We battled in the first half but always knew they were classier and in the second half their class told.

''When you play against teams of this quality you need to have your best team out to give yourselves a chance.

''Those players are a patched-up team, but they have got us this far to play against Real Madrid and hopefully they are learning and getting experience.''

O'Leary is now looking to Leeds to take heart from their experience in the first phase of the Champions League, when they were beaten 4-0 in Barcelona but recovered to qualify for the next round.

He added: ''In the last group we got hammered in the first game and bounced back and now we have got to do that again.''

It was another tired display from Leeds, particularly during a second half when they ran out of steam and ideas, and it was then that Real took command.

Despite the visit of arguably Europe's best club side, including the world's most expensive player in £37m Luis Figo, Leeds started the game not looking overawed.

Centre-back Jonathan Woodgate, returning to the side after an 18-day lay-off with a thigh strain, should have given Leeds a dream start as he found himself in the heart of the Real area in the seventh minute.

Lee Bowyer was the instigator, curling in a free-kick after Gary Kelly had been fouled on the right-hand touchline by Brazil star Roberto Carlos.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas proceeded to make a hash of catching the ball, which dropped to Woodgate for a right-foot shot from six yards which cannoned against the post.

The rebound then fell to Gary Kelly, but from ten yards he drilled his effort wide.

It proved to be a lively beginning for Woodgate as he was then involved in an incident in the Leeds box which led to Holland referee Dick Jol issuing the first of his six bookings.

Figo was awarded his yellow card for diving in the area as he looked for a penalty under the challenge of Woodgate, who then had his name taken less than 60 seconds later for a foul on the Portuguese sensation.

As Real soon began to press, Figo curled a free-kick over the bar and keeper Paul Robinson tipped a scuffed Raul shot past the post.

Then came the move of the match in the 34th minute as Guti played a one-two with Raul on the edge of the area after Roberto Carlos had started it with a pass inside to the striker, whose eventual shot clipped the outside of the post.

But Leeds should have been ahead at the break as Lee Bowyer picked out Dominic Matteo at the far post six minutes from the interval.

Although Matteo's downward header was powerful enough, it was aimed straight at Casillas, who blocked at point-blank range.

That was as much as Leeds had to offer as Real managed to find another gear midway through the second period as skipper Fernando Hierro and Raul swept Leeds aside.

It came as no surprise when Real took the lead in the 66th minute courtesy of a breakaway involving Roberto Carlos, Steve McManaman, Raul and Figo, which ended with the latter driving in a shot which was blocked by the legs of Robinson.

But from the short corner, Figo's whipped-in delivery was headed beyond Robinson by Hierro.

Then before Leeds could regroup the game was put beyond their reach as McManaman passed to Guti, who sent Raul through, and despite a hint of off-side, he finished with aplomb by scoring his second goal in Europe