Liga Report: Nunez Header Saves Point For Madrid

A late header from young Real Madrid substitute Nunez secured a 1-1 draw for the Merengues after Villarreal had taken the lead thanks to a Sonny Anderson stunner.

It was an indifferent first-half from Carlos Queiroz's side. Jose Mari twice went close for Villarreal, firstly when he saw his close range effort cleared away, and secondly when he shot across goal from inside the area.

On 39 minutes a David Beckham free-kick was punched away by Jose Reina.

Significant for France, was the fact that Zinedine Zidane went off with a minor injury and must be a doubt for this weekend's Euro 2004 qualifier.

After the break Francisco Pavon headed a Beckham corner against the post, before the outstanding Michel Salgado volleyed Luis Figo's delicate pass against the bar.

Sonny Anderson was brought on in the 68th minute, and with almost his first touch of the ball, the ex-Barcelona man fired Villarreal ahead. He got in behind Salgado on the left and from a tight angle fired an unstoppable effort across Iker Casillas and into the far corner.

On 78 minutes Reina tipped a Beckham free-kick over the bar, before Anderson headed down to Juan Roman Riquelme in the box, only for the Argentine to shoot straight at Casillas.

But with five minutes remaining, Real got the equaliser many will feel they deserved when young substitute Nunez headed home Beckam free-kick with the aid of a slight deflection.

Beckham almost won it for the Merengues in the 90th minute, but his free-kick was superbly saved by Reina.