Brilliant Figo steers Real to 3-2 thriller

A brilliantly-struck injury-time free-kick from Luis Figo allowed Real Madrid to grab their first league win in four games as they took a 3-2 victory over near neighbours Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Rayo had looked on course to claim a well-earned point against the European champions after they twice levelled to cancel out spectacular strikes from Brazilian stars Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

But Figo's free-kick allowed Real to edge their first league win away from the Bernabeu since last March and catapulted the European champions into third place in the table.

Real Sociedad stayed top despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo Coruna at the Anoeta, but could see their lead narrowed if second-place Valencia overcome Real Betis in Saturday's late match.

Yugoslav striker Darko Kovacevic opened for Sociedad on 28 minutes when he headed home at the far post after a cross from Valery Karpin.

But Depor equalised just before halftime when Albert Luque slotted home with the outside of his foot after midfielder Fran and Dutch striker Roy Makaay had prised open the Sociedad defence.

The draw still allowed the Basque side to better their previous best start to a league campaign which dates back to the 1981-82 season when they went on to win the championship for the second year in a row.

Real Madrid, anxious to put an end to their recent poor run of form, went on the attack from the first whistle with Rayo responding by packing their defence and playing on the break.

Fernando Vazquez's side survived a succession of early corners, but were then hit by a devastating Real attack launched from well inside their own half.

Figo made the goal with a superb defence-splitting pass which fell into the path of the advancing Ronaldo.

His former Barcelona team mate swooped onto the ball, steadied himself and then fired a first-time shot high into the corner.

It was the Brazilian's first goal for Real since he grabbed a double on his debut against Alaves over a month ago.

But surprisingly it was Rayo who grew in confidence following the goal and began to take control of the match as Real relaxed.

The Brazilian's strike was more than matched 22 minutes later when Rayo midfielder Jorge Azkoitia skipped past Claude Makelele before hitting a swerving 20-metre shot past keeper Iker Casillas and into the far corner.

Real lost Zinedine Zidane shortly afterwards with what appeared to be a thigh injury and Rayo took control after the break.

But Real took the lead against the run of play when Roberto Carlos scored with a trademark rocket following a free-kick on the fringe of the area.

The Brazilian defender fired his shot under the ragged Rayo wall, leaving keeper Imanol Etxeberria with no chance.

Rayo continued to dominate, though, and levelled once more on 75 minutes through a controversial penalty after Azkoitia fell to the ground on the edge of the area.

Julio Alavarez, on loan from Real, stepped up to blast home past Casillas to level once more.

The excitement was not over, however, and it was Real who had the final say when Figo sent his free-kick over the wall and into the corner from the edge of the area seconds before the final whistle.