The best Real Madrid of this season booked
a scandalous 6-1 win over Albacete and are firmer in second place. An
early goal from Ronaldo in the 2nd minute was an indication of what
would follow. Ricardo’s equalizer in the 15th minute was all the
resistance the club from La Mancha would offer in tonight’s match.
A brilliant Zidane signed for Madrid’s second of the night in the 29th
minute while only three minutes later Raúl added a third one. In the
second half the half a dozen was completed by Samuel, Owen and again
Ronaldo. Real Madrid played their best match of the season and next
week’s derby against Barça promises to be the classical thriller
everybody is hoping for.
Barcelona are still leaders inspite of their loss in Sevilla against
Betis. In the first half both teams had several opportunities to open
the score but brillant interventions of both goalkeepers kept the
scoresheet blank. After only three minutes into the second half, Betis
took the lead by means of Edu.
Twenty minutes later it was Oliveira who scored Betis’ second goal of
the night after Barça defender Puyol miscalculated when heading the ball
back into his goalie’s direction. Gerard however brought the tension
back into the game when scoring only two minutes later. From that moment
there was only one team attacking but the Betis defense would not
concede the equalizer. Only four points separate the leaders from Madrid
before next week’s derby.
Mallorca booked their second successive 1-1 draw since the arrival of
Hector Cuper. The club from the Balearic Islands took the lead in the
27th minute through a masterly taken free kick by Arango. Atlético de
Madrid had ball possession during 79 percent of the game but could only
reply deep into the second half, when ex-Mallorca player Colsa headed
home a free kick. After Numancia’s surprsing win last night, Mallorca
occupy the last position on the ranking in the Spanish Liga.