Beckham's back as Real thrash Albacete
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-15 09:47

Real Madrid's David Beckham played his first game in six weeks, after recovering from his two broken ribs, as the Spanish giants romped to a 6-1 win over struggling Albacete.

However, the England captain was overshadowed by his fellow 'galacticos' in the star-studded Real side.

Real Madrid's Raul (C) celebrates his goal against Albacete with teammates French Zinedine Zidane (R) and Briton David Beckham (L) during their Premier League football match in Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.[AFP]

Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Raul Gonzalez got first half goals to put Real firmly in control and well on their way to their fourth consecutive league victory.

Argentine defender Walter Samuel then got his first league goal for the club, since signing from Roma in the summer, with late goals from Michael Owen and Ronaldo completing the thrashing.

Real stay in second place but now have 22 points and keep up the pressure on their bitter rivals and unbeaten league leaders Barcelona, who defend their 10-game at unbeaten streak at Real Betis later on Sunday.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after just 90 seconds when he found the net from a corner, after Raul Gonzalez had failed to stab it home.

The Santiago Bernabeu crowd were then silenced after 15 minutes when the Madrid's defence were caught square.

Albacete striker Franciso was on hand to pick up the long ball and go around the stranded Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas before scrambling the ball home.

Things briefly went from bad to worse for Real, and Spain, when four minutes later Ivan Helguera limped off after aggrevating his sore ankle

The Real defender is likely to miss Spain's friendly international against England in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane celebrates after scoring a goal against Albacete during their Spanish League soccer match, at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, November 14, 2004. [Reuters]

World Player of the Year Zinedane Zidane restored the Real's composure with a moment of brillance, firing home with his left foot from 20 yards after 30 minutes to put the hosts back in front.

Raul headed Real further ahead two minutes later and Samuel added Real's fourth in similar fashion three minutes after the break.

With Albacete completely demoralised and Real having fun at their expense, England striker Michael Owen got his fourth goal in consecutive league games in the dying seconds on normal time, before Ronaldo got his fifth goal of the season in injury time.

At the other end of the division, Real Mallorca drift to the bottom after their 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid.

Fellow strugglers Numancia beat Sevilla 2-1 on Saturday to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Mallorca took the lead after 26 minutes from a free kick from Juan Fernando Arango and continued to throw everything at Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco for the rest of the match.

However, the Argentine had an outstanding game against his former club and Atletico snatched a point seven minutes before the end when Gonzalo Colsa equalised.

Mallorca are still without a win at home this season although the arrival of new coach Hector Cuper has helped them partially turn the corner with two successive draws.

Close

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Luxury foreign products make inroads         Taiwan's Chen urged to nod 1992 deal         Powell: China ties best in 30 years         Hu hails friendship with all Latin America         Calls made to change interest income tax         Body of western woman found in Fallujah	Beckham's back as Real thrash Albacete       Rooney inspires Man U to 3-1 win       Serena ends Mauresmo's year-end No. 1 bid       Chelsea beat Fulham 4-1 to stay on top       Bryan brothers win Masters Cup opener       Spurs pummel Hawks in 103-88 victory