La Liga - Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga with a last-gasp 3-2 away win at Recreativo de Huleva. Fabio Capellos side had looked in control as they completely dominated the first hour of play to stroll into a 2-0 lead. Robinho gave Real the lead in the ninth minute, and a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty doubled that advantage in the 53rd.
Recreativo fought back though and Jesus Vazquez got them back into the game in the 74th minute with a spot-kick. Ikechukwu Uche looked to have earned the home side a deserved point when he levelled the score with four minutes remaining, but Roberto Carlos struck in the third minute of added time to ensure a Real win.
Capello's men completely owned the first half and David Beckham, returning from suspension, began a masterful performance by curling in a cross from the right wing to set up Robinho for the opener. A complete lack of Recreativo marking contributed to the ease with which the Brazilian was able to finish the move.
Eight minutes later another superb Beckham delivery gave Fernando Gago a simple header which he looked certain score. The Argentinian somehow put his effort wide, highlighting more woeful Recreativo defending in the process.
Sergio Ramos very nearly gifted Recreativo a way back into the game against the run of play when he failed to deal with a ball over the top midway through the first half. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas was alert to clear the danger and save his team mate's blushes as Laurentiu Rosu lurked with intent.
Gago was inches away from connecting with another sweetly struck Beckham cross in the 25th minute, and Fabio Cannavaro picked up a yellow car for pulling down Florent Sinama-Pongolle as Recreativo made a rare first-half trip forward.
Raul showed magnificent control shortly after the half hour mark to take on a Roberto Carlos long ball, but the Real captain's finish could not complement his skill in creating an opening for himself as he sliced his shot wide.
The second half was an action-packed affair, and barely 20 seconds after the restart Recreativo had a clear penalty claim turned down as Sinama-Pongolle went down under a Sergio Ramos tackle. Whether the Real defender got a toe on the ball was highly debatable, but the referee declined the incoming appeals regardless.
Ramos was then guilty of a glaring miss minutes later as he tried to nonchalantly lift the ball over Bertrand Laquait as a Beckham corner found him unmarked and in acres of space at the far post. Recreativo's French &lsquokeeper saved well though to keep his side in the game.
Recreativo fought back though and Jesus Vazquez got them back into the game in the 74th minute with a spot-kick. Ikechukwu Uche looked to have earned the home side a deserved point when he levelled the score with four minutes remaining, but Roberto Carlos struck in the third minute of added time to ensure a Real win.
Capello's men completely owned the first half and David Beckham, returning from suspension, began a masterful performance by curling in a cross from the right wing to set up Robinho for the opener. A complete lack of Recreativo marking contributed to the ease with which the Brazilian was able to finish the move.
Eight minutes later another superb Beckham delivery gave Fernando Gago a simple header which he looked certain score. The Argentinian somehow put his effort wide, highlighting more woeful Recreativo defending in the process.
Sergio Ramos very nearly gifted Recreativo a way back into the game against the run of play when he failed to deal with a ball over the top midway through the first half. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas was alert to clear the danger and save his team mate's blushes as Laurentiu Rosu lurked with intent.
Gago was inches away from connecting with another sweetly struck Beckham cross in the 25th minute, and Fabio Cannavaro picked up a yellow car for pulling down Florent Sinama-Pongolle as Recreativo made a rare first-half trip forward.
Raul showed magnificent control shortly after the half hour mark to take on a Roberto Carlos long ball, but the Real captain's finish could not complement his skill in creating an opening for himself as he sliced his shot wide.
The second half was an action-packed affair, and barely 20 seconds after the restart Recreativo had a clear penalty claim turned down as Sinama-Pongolle went down under a Sergio Ramos tackle. Whether the Real defender got a toe on the ball was highly debatable, but the referee declined the incoming appeals regardless.
Ramos was then guilty of a glaring miss minutes later as he tried to nonchalantly lift the ball over Bertrand Laquait as a Beckham corner found him unmarked and in acres of space at the far post. Recreativo's French &lsquokeeper saved well though to keep his side in the game.
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