David Beckham [ Images ] believes the manner of Real Madrid's [ Images ] qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League [ Images ] proves they can challenge for honours this season.

"We've been missing some important players, but we've showed that we are a united team and that we can cope when we lose people," the England [ Images ] captain was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Thursday.

"When I was at Manchester United [ Images ] we won the Champions League in 1999 because we were a great team and didn't suffer when we were missing players. I think we are on the verge of achieving the same here.

"I'm convinced that this team can go a long way in this competition, but we have to keep working hard."

Real's lengthy injury list includes Ronaldo [ Images ], Zinedine Zidane [ Images ], Julio Baptista [ Images ], Thomas Gravesen and Ivan Helguera, while midfielder Beckham is continuing to suffer from back pain.

"I'm playing with a bit of pain and it is annoying, but I won't have a problem making the next match against Zaragoza," he said.

Real secured their place in the knockout stage with an efficient 2-0 win at Rosenborg Trondheim on Tuesday. They remain three points adrift of Group F leaders Olympique Lyon [ Images ], who they meet at the Bernabeu [ Images ] in their next match.