Last-gasp Cazorla thwarts Madrid
Sunday, March 18, 2012
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Real Madrid CF's lead at the top of the Liga standings is down to eight points after Santi Cazorla curled in a superb late free-kick to earn Málaga CF a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital.
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Real Madrid CF's Liga lead is down to eight points after Santi Cazorla's superb late free-kick rescued a 1-1 draw for Málaga CF in the Spanish capital.
José Mourinho's side were far from their best but looked to have done enough to secure a 12th consecutive league success and restore their double-digit advantage over FC Barcelona as the clock ticked down. Karim Benzema put the hosts in front with a headed finish from a Cristiano Ronaldo cross on 35 minutes, yet Cazorla had the last word when he curled a fantastic set piece into the top corner in added time.
In third, Valencia CF kept themselves six points clear of Levante UD courtesy of a hat-trick from Roberto Soldado. The Spain forward took his tally to 15 Liga strikes this term when he rounded off a 3-0 win at Athletic Club with a late penalty.
As for Levante, they had an added-time Xavi Torres effort to thank for their 1-0 defeat of Villarreal CF, a result which cost Villarreal coach José Molina his job. In the day’s other game, RCD Mallorca beat Club Atlético de Madrid 2-1 despite losing Iván Ramis to a 53rd-minute red card.
