David Beckham made a dramatic goal-scoring return for Real Madrid on Saturday as the Spanish giants beat Real Sociedad 2-1 to breathe new life into their faltering title campaign.
MADRID: David Beckham made a dramatic goal-scoring return for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants beat Real Sociedad 2-1 to breathe new life into their title campaign.
Ironically, the former England skipper’s performance may also have helped save Fabio Capello’s job. The Italian coach had vowed Beckham would never play for him again after the ex-Manchester United man signed a $ 250-million deal to move to Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season. But with Madrid in danger of slipping off the championship pace, and the Spanish media predicting the axe for Capello if they lost on Saturday, the 31-year-old Beckham made a fairytale return. He found the net in the 36th minute with a trademark, right-foot 25-metre free-kick which sneaked around the side of the two-man Sociedad wall, beat Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and pulled Real level at 1-1.
“I am happy that Beckham scored,” said Capello. “All the team is happy for him. I have spoken with him twice in the course of the last two weeks but what we said will remain just between us.” On Friday, when Capello announced that Beckham had been recalled, the Italian had been fulsome in his praise of the player. “He is a great professional and we are counting on him until the end of the season,” said Capello. Recognising he was too hasty to drop one of his most experienced players, Capello said, “The wise thing to do was to rectify” his original decision.
Mikel Aranburu had given second-from bottom Sociedad a seventh-minute lead when he headed in from close range after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had made a terrible hash of a cross from the right by Xabi Prieto. Madrid made sure of the three points when Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the winner three minutes into the second half. It was the Dutchman’s 11th league goal of the season. Beckham, who last played in the 2-0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruna on January 7, didn’t have things all his way however, when he picked up a second-half yellow card.
“This was very important win,” said van Nistelrooy. “We were a goal down but the team showed great character. Beckham was fundamental and we are all very happy for him to back in the team and to be on the scoresheet.” Real stay third in the table, two points behind leaders Barcelona while Sevilla are still second, level on 43 points with the European champions but behind on goal difference. They have also played a game more after a 0-0 draw in Saturday’s derby clash with Real Betis.
Reigning champions Barcelona were to face Racing Santander later on Sunday. Frank Rijkaard’s men are unbeaten in the league at home this season but have only won three of their last nine games, and all against teams in the bottom four of the division.
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