Owen kickstarts Madrid revival
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Article summary
Substitute Michael Owen helped Real Madrid CF come from behind to defeat CA Osasuna in Pamplona.
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By Andy Hall
A late Iván Helguera goal gave Real Madrid CF their first victory at CA Osasuna for four years on Sunday and carried them back to within four points of Primera División leaders FC Barcelona.
Moribund Madrid
On a drizzly evening in Pamplona, the locals completely dominated the opening half while Madrid were unable to raise their own game to threaten the home side's goal. Osasuna attacked with vigour and their patience paid off when Pierre Achille Webó slotted past Iker Casillas on 34 minutes. The Spain goalkeeper then kept Madrid in contention with a series of excellent saves as Osasuna threatened to run away with the game.
Casillas heroics
Casillas majestically tipped over a goal-bound effort from former Madrid player Valdo, who then watched as another strike crashed against the bar. But with Madrid on the verge of losing further ground on Barça, they drew level when Ricardo Sanzol could only palm Roberto Carlos' fierce free-kick into the path of substitute Michael Owen, who headed over the line on 76 minutes. Three minutes later, the visitors were ahead when Helguera finished from close range after Sanzol had failed to hold David Beckham's free-kick.
Baptista double
Sevilla FC move into third after two Julio Baptista goals helped defeat Villarreal CF in Andalusia. The Brazilian headed in his first on 34 minutes then converted an 81st-minute penalty. Although Juan Román Riquelme responded from the spot six minutes later, the response came too late and the coastal side drop to seventh.
Tamudo penalty
Raúl Tamudo was also on target from the penalty spot as RCD Espanyol left it late against Getafe CF. The added-time goal came just moments after Antonio Soldevilla had given the Catalan outfit the lead, rifling in during a goalmouth scramble. Club Atlético de Madrid remain eighth after their meeting with Levante UD ended goalless in contrast to events at San Mamés, where Athletic Club Bilbao were held to an astonishing 4-4 draw by Real Betis Balompié.
Relegation fight
Elsewhere, there was relief for RCD Mallorca who defeated Albacete Balompié 2-1 at Son Moix, but despair for the bottom two as CD Numancia lost 1-0 against relegation battlers Málaga CF while Real Racing Club Santander were defeated 3-1 at home by Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
