Real win puts them top

Real Madrid top La Primera for at least one night after goals from Ivan Helguera and Luis Figo gave them a 2-0 win over Tenerife.

Real enjoyed a bright start to the game and took the lead after 14 minutes when Ivan Helguera connected with a deep pass from Claude Makelele to fire past Sergio Aragoneses. The visitors controlled much of the remainder of the half but a series of fouls from both sides put paid to any chances of a fluid game.

Tenerife came out much more fired up for the second half and immediately went in search of an equaliser.

Real looked sluggish and missed a perfect opportunity to double their lead when Albert Celades went one on one with Aragoneses on 69 minutes, but the ex-Barcelona midfielder fired straight at the Tenerife 'keeper.

Moments later, Iker Casillas got to a fierce Xisco shot as the game's tempo increased.

Real hung on for dear life during the final 10 minutes but the three points were sealed in extra time when Real skipper Fernando Hierro was floored in the box by Lussenhoff and the Portuguese ace made no mistake from the spot.

Real are now overnight leaders in La Primera with 28 points, one point above Athletic Bilbao, who came from behind three times to draw 3-3 at Sevilla.

The positions for both Real and Athletic should change tomorrow when the rest of the fixtures are played.

Se the game details here: http://www.realmadrid.dk/games/showfixture/default.asp?fixtureid=13