Recreativo 2-3 Real Madrid: The Whites earn another epic victory and come closer to winning the League
2 - 3
This was Real Madrid's first away match as leaders and only a victory could keep them on the top of the table. The Whites were superior to the locals, but after Robinho's and Van Nistelrooy's goals Recreativo scored from a penalty and grew stronger as a result. Uche eventually drew the score. Once again, Real Madrid were involved in a game with a frantic and heart-stopping end. Finally, Roberto Carlos scored the winner in added time when all seemed to be lost.
Recreativo fans should be proud of their team. The oldest football side in Spain are currently seventh on the table, with options of qualifying for next season's UEFA Cup, and they play fresh, uncompromising football against the biggest teams of the competition. Nevertheless, their victory over the Whites earlier this season wasn't a positive precedent tonight because Capello's team has radically changed since then. Showcasing quality stock and great efforts, Real Madrid are teaching all their rivals a lesson in this final stretch of the season.
The Madridistas took the pitch with the intention of dominating the game from start to finish. The new faces on the starting lineup were Miguel Torres as right back, Fernando Gago in midfield -the Argentine came close to missing the match due to a niggle, but he recovered in time- and Beckham and Robinho on the wings -both players missed last week's game due to suspension.
Typical Beckham assistRecreativo were weak in midfield and the Whites soon stole the ball from them. David Beckham passed it to Torres, but the Spaniard gave it back to him. Becks crossed the ball into the box and Robinho put away a phenomenal free-header (8'); the direction of the shot was simply brilliant.
The Whites dominated the game and felt comfortable on the pitch, showcasing excellent ball movement. Gago and Diarra were extremely good in midfield, Beckham and Robinho stood out in most of the team's attacks, and Sergio Ramos once again led the defence.
Real Madrid came close to finishing off the game before half-time twice, but Ramos failed to finish off a phenomenal cross by Beckham (16') and Raúl didn't manage to score from a cross by Roberto Carlos on the 38-minute mark. Recreativo only had one chance in the entire first half through a free-kick by Beto that Iker Casillas -who turned 26 today- managed to save without any problems.
Recreativo's lineup changed after half-time, bringing on last year's Second Division Pichichi, Uche, and the team's spirit in general, as well as the fans', was lifted. But despite their good efforts, Recre conceded another goal. First, Ramos missed a one-on-one against Laquait, failing to lift the ball high enough over the keeper, who perfectly anticipated his move (50'). Beckham then missed a volley, hitting the ball with the inside of his right foot. On the 53-minute mark, Robinho brilliantly went through Recre's defence and faced the keeper, who hastily tackled him with his arms and was booked as a result. The Whites were awarded a penalty and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the League's current Pichichi, didn't fail score his 15th goal away from Madrid. Third time lucky, as they say...From then on Real Madrid continued being well positioned on the pitch, never leaving any open spaces. But this comfortable situation was not meant to last. Uche pulled off a classic Cruyff turn with wonderful skill in the box, managing to force Gago to bring him down with a light flick on the shin.
A penalty was awarded and Jesús Vázquez didn't fail to score, although Iker managed to touch the ball (73'). This goal created a small crisis for Real Madrid.Once again, Madridistas sat through a heart-stopping end. The goal was an injection of adrenaline for Recreativo and Uche eventually scored the equalliser from a corner kick by Aitor.
But Madrid didn't despair and in added time their great efforts were rewarded. Higuaín ran with the ball down the right, giving the ball to Gago, who had his face to the goal. He saw Roberto Carlos' maginificent run down the left, turned and passed the ball to the Brazilian, who fired it into the back of the net.
The Whites still have to win three more 'finals' against Deportivo, Zaragoza and Mallorca, respectively. If they do, they will celebrate winning the title at Cibeles Fountain.
MATCH REPORT
Recreativo Huelva: Laquait; Merino, Beto, Pablo Amo, Poli; Jesús Váquez, Barber, Juanma (Aitor, 58'), Cazorla; Rosu (Uche, min.45) & Sinama Pongolle (Javi Guerrero, 53').
Real Madrid: Casillas; Torres, Ramos, Cannavarro, Roberto Carlos; Diarra, Gago, Beckham, Robinho (Guti, 75'); Raúl & Van Nistelrooy.
Referee:
Mejuto González. Booked Cannavaro (30'), Beckham (59') and Laquait (53').
Goals:
0-1 (8'): Robinho scores a header from a brilliant cross by Beckham.
0-2 (53'): Van Nistelrooy scores a penalty.
1-2 (73'): Jesús Vázquez scores a penalty.
2-2 (76'): Uche puts the finishing touch on a corner by Aitor.
2-3 (90'): Roberto Carlos scores after a counterattack by Higuaín and Gago.
Highlights:
Matchday 35 of la Liga. Venue: Nuevo Colombino Stadium. A minute's silence was held in memory of the five people who died in a bus accident on their way to Madrid before Christmas to see the previous fixture between both sides at the Bernabéu.
Report by Cristina Monge
Photography by Ángel Martínez
Special correspondents to Huelva
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 12:04 AM
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