9
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain — David Beckham scored in his return Saturday, helping Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in the Spanish league.
Beckham, making his first start since Dec. 20, equalized in the 37th minute with a low, bending free kick from outside the area which beat diving goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Beckham's goal at Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian may have saved Madrid coach Fabio Capello's job. The Italian coach, who had said that the former England captain would never again play for the Spanish powerhouse, reportedly would have been fired if his team had lost again.
Beckham annoyed Capello by announcing Jan. 11 that he would leave for the Los Angeles Galaxy when his contract expires in June.
Real Madridīs David Beckham made a dramatic return to action on Saturday, scoring a goal against Real Sociedad. (Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images)
Related Articles
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored Madrid's winning goal in the 48th minute when he beat Bravo to Miguel Torres' cross from the left and headed it in. The victory ended a run of two straight defeats.
Beckham received a yellow card in the 75th minute for a late challenge on Sociedad forward Savio Bortolini.
Madrid rose to third place in the league with 41 points. Defending champion FC Barcelona has 43 points, one more than Sevilla, which plays Real Betis later Saturday.
On Sunday, Barcelona hosts Racing Santander, while Valencia visits Getafe.
Sociedad took the lead in the eighth minute after a mistake by Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who pushed Xabi Prieto's cross up into the air, allowing Mikel Aranburu to nod the ball into the net from close range.
The goal was the Basque team's first in five games, although the defeat left it in 19th place and threatened by the prospect of playing second-division soccer for the first time since 1967.
Also Sunday, it's: Mallorca vs. Zaragoza; Villarreal vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Levante vs. Recreativo Huelva; Gimnastic Tarragona vs. Osasuna; Celta Vigo vs. Espanyol; and Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao.
