MADRID: Madrid: Renato scored with a late header on Sunday for Sevilla to withstand a spirited second-half rally from Real Madrid to win 4-3 in the Spanish league, leaving two-time defending champion Madrid trailing leaders Barcelona by nine points.
Renato rose over Fabio Cannavaro in the 85th minute to head in Frederic Kanoute’s low cross after Madrid had hit back from 3-1 down to draw level.
Madrid coach Bernd Schuster all but conceded the title afterward with his team travelling to Barcelona next Saturday. “At the Camp Nou now, it’s not possible to win,” Schuster said. “They (Barcelona) are playing really well there and it’s their year. We can just try and hopefully play a good game.”
Madrid, which has now lost three of its past four league matches, will be without the suspended Arjen Robben and Marcelo in its desperate bid to keep its season from finishing before Christmas. Barcelona, who have been unbeaten this season, lead with 35 points. Villarreal has 29, Sevilla and Valencia are on 27 and Madrid has 26.
Adriano Correia gave Sevilla a third-minute lead and although Raul pulled one back in the 19th minute, Ndri Romaric and Frederic Kanoute had the visitors 3-1 up at halftime.
Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago levelled for Real midway through the second half, but a red card for Arjen Robben took the wind out of their sails, and Renato headed the winner six minutes from time. “We made life complicated to win the game,” Schuster said. “Without a doubt, we did things poorly, but also well. This isn’t all bad luck, you have to go out looking for luck, which we need.”
Earlier, Deportivo La Coruna overcame Malaga 2-0 at home to go seventh with 24 points, behind Atletico Madrid on goal difference. Malaga keeper Inaki Goitia let Angel Lafita’s free kick slip through his hands after 65 minutes and Mexico striker Omar Bravo netted the second from the penalty spot soon after. Real Valladolid came back from three down to draw 3-3 at Osasuna with Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche’s powerful header securing a point five minutes from time. Valladolid are eighth with 20 points.
Osasuna slipped back to the foot of the table after Recreativo Huelva claimed their first win since the opening day of the season, twice coming from behind to beat Real Mallorca 3-2 away.
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