Real Madrid get winning kick out of Roberto Carlos
Two goals derived from Roberto Carlos's trademark thunderbolt left foot free-kicks proved to be the difference as Real Madrid consolidated their position at the top of the Spanish first division with a 2-1 win at Albacete.
Two goals derived from Roberto Carlos's trademark thunderbolt left foot free-kicks proved to be the difference as Real Madrid consolidated their position at the top of the Spanish first division with a 2-1 win at Albacete.
The Brazilian World Cup winner opened the scoring after 19 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area, although the ball took a deflection from Albacete defender Oscar Montiel which left his keeper Manuel Almunia with little hope of stopping the ball reaching the net.
Luis Figo was credited with the second goal after 71 minutes, although in fairness the Portugal captain knew next-to-nothing about his seventh league goal of the season as Roberto Carlos's long distance hot struck him on the hip before flying past Almunia.
Libero Parri gave Real an anxious final few minutes when he scored from an individual effort eight minutes from time, his right foot blast from 25 metres bouncing awkwardly in front of Iker Casillas before the Spanish international pushed the ball into his own net, but Real clung on to their three points during a frantic final few minutes.
However, it was the only error Casillas made all night and he produced a spectacular reaction save midway through the second half to stop Mikel Aguirre from scoring with a close-range header.
Albacete will reflect on the fact that they probably lost the game in the first half, when they repeatedly gave the ball away in the midfield.
One negative note for Real was that their Argentine utility man Santiago Solari picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, one of five handed out on the night, and will have to sit out Real's match against Osasuna next week.
The win gives Real Madrid 67 points from their 31 games, four points clear of their nearest rival Valencia, who have a game in hand.
Valencia play host to bottom club Murcia on Sunday, who have yet to win away from home this season.
Earlier on Saturday, Sevilla bounced back from their 5-1 thrashing at Real Madrid last weekend and got a hard fought 1-0 win over Espanyol.
The only goal of the game came after 51 minutes when Antonito Ramiro slid in to push home a Dario Silva cross.
The win means Sevilla still have slim hopes of qualifying European competition next season while Espanyol remain 18th and stuck in the relegation zone, two points from safety.