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Becks scores winning goal in Real struggle against Albacete
Madrid, Nov 25: David Beckham was on target as Real Madrid made hard work of overcoming struggling Albacete 2-1 but the narrow victory was enough to send them back to the top of the Spanish first division.
Madrid, Nov 25: David Beckham was on target as Real Madrid made hard work of overcoming struggling Albacete 2-1 but the narrow victory was enough to send them back to the top of the Spanish first division.
The reigning champions have 26 points from their 12 games, the same number of points and goal difference as second-placed Deportivo La Coruna but are ahead having scored more goals.
Deportivo left the door open to Real after they could only draw 0-0 at Real Betis on Saturday.
Beckham put real in front after 37 minutes with a long-range strike, the inch-perfect looping right foot shot from a pass by Zinedine Zidane flying past Albacete goalkeeper Carlos Roa and into the net from 25 metres. It was the England captain's third goal of the season and provided a modicum of revenge over Roa following the Argentine's exploits on the last occasion they came face-to-face.
At the 1998 World Cup, Roa was Argentina's goalkeeper in their infamous last 16 match which the South Americans won on penalties.
Roa was the hero of the game with a series of stunning saves while Beckham ended as the villain after being sent off.
But Albacete wasted no time to get an equaliser with Libero Parri connecting a Carlos Aranda cross inside a minute.
Real dominated the second half and Zidane gave Real three crucial points, and ensured morale was restored after their 4-1 thrashing at Sevilla two weeks ago, when he headed home the winner nine minutes from time.
Bureau Report
The reigning champions have 26 points from their 12 games, the same number of points and goal difference as second-placed Deportivo La Coruna but are ahead having scored more goals.
Deportivo left the door open to Real after they could only draw 0-0 at Real Betis on Saturday.
Beckham put real in front after 37 minutes with a long-range strike, the inch-perfect looping right foot shot from a pass by Zinedine Zidane flying past Albacete goalkeeper Carlos Roa and into the net from 25 metres. It was the England captain's third goal of the season and provided a modicum of revenge over Roa following the Argentine's exploits on the last occasion they came face-to-face.
At the 1998 World Cup, Roa was Argentina's goalkeeper in their infamous last 16 match which the South Americans won on penalties.
Roa was the hero of the game with a series of stunning saves while Beckham ended as the villain after being sent off.
But Albacete wasted no time to get an equaliser with Libero Parri connecting a Carlos Aranda cross inside a minute.
Real dominated the second half and Zidane gave Real three crucial points, and ensured morale was restored after their 4-1 thrashing at Sevilla two weeks ago, when he headed home the winner nine minutes from time.
Bureau Report