Raul to the rescue as Real scramble point
An opportunist strike by Raul saw league leaders Real Madrid come from behind to snatch a barely deserved 1-1 draw against relegation strugglers Osasuna on Saturday.
A strike by Raul
An opportunist strike by Raul saw league leaders Real Madrid come from behind to snatch a barely deserved 1-1 draw against relegation strugglers Osasuna on Saturday.
Raul's goal, wich made him joint top-scorer in the league with Rivaldo, brought the home side back on level terms after they fell behind to a perfectly-struck free kick from Osasuna midfielder Alex Fernandez.
The result meant Real stayed well on course for their first Spanish title in four years. They extended their lead to 12 points over Deportivo Coruna who play Espanyol on Sunday. A 64th minute header from striker Juan Sanchez gave third-placed Valencia a 1-0 victory over Valladolid, moving them a point behind Deportivo.
Real had appeared in no hurry to take the initiative as they stroked the ball harmlessly around the midfield, apparently more concerned with conserving their energy ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich. Real made several half-hearted attacks with Luis Figo going it alone and shooting wide on 24 minutes and Michel Salgado cutting in from the right wing and unleashing a fierce shot that forced a sharp save from Osasuna keeper Nuno.
Half pace
With Real still playing at half pace, Osasuna caught them napping in defence and Roberto Carlos gave away a free kick metres outside the area on 37 minutes.
Alex Fernandez stepped up to curl his superb free kick around the wall and between a post and the diving Casillas to make it 1-0.
But only two minutes later referee Turienzo Alvarez gave Real a penalty after Figo appeared to dive in the area after the slightest of contacts with Cesar Cruchaga.
The European player of the year claimed the spot kick for himself, but then sent the ball wide of the right post to the joy of the Osasuna players.
But luck was not to favour the battling Navarran side. Six minutes after the break a poor clearance rebounded off Jose Manuel Yanguas and fell to Raul who clipped over Nuno to give Real a barely deserved equaliser.
The match opened up in the second half, but Real still appeared to be playing well within themselves.
Ivan Rosado came close to restoring the lead for the visitors as he skipped past three defenders and saw his angled shot spin off the post on 66 minutes.
But it was keeper Nuno who produced an inspired performance as he pulled off a string of quality saves to help give his side a vital point in their bid to stave off relegation.