Real Madrid avoided an upset after coming from behind to beat Cadiz 3-1.
Real Madrid avoided an upset after coming from behind to beat Cadiz 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.Cadiz threatened to cause a shock after taking the lead through Alexander Medina, but trademark free kicks from Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, allied to a Robinho volley, settled the issue.
In a lively first half, Real defender Sergio Ramos had a header tipped over acrobatically, while Robinho was off target with a shot.
Iker Casillas had to get down well to stop Benjamin's deflected shot before Cadiz captain Ramon De Quintana headed over.
Real had a goal disallowed two minutes before half time when Zinedine Zidane was ruled offside, although the linesman's flag went up very late.
The hosts were also incensed when they failed to be awarded a penalty at the close of the half when Robinho fell theatrically, although the last action of the first period saw Casillas save from Benjamin.
Medina served notice of his intentions when his overhead kick was just over the bar, but he was on target on 54 minutes.
His first attempt was blocked by a Real defender, but when the ball broke to him, Medina swept it home with relish.
De Quintana then put a good chance into the side-netting before Real drew level on 68 minutes when Roberto Carlos hammered a free kick through a woeful Cadiz wall.
Anything you can do, I can do better appeared to be Beckham's response to his team-mate's goal, though, as he curled a wonderful free kick into the top corner on 71 minutes.
That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Cadiz and Real wrapped up the win on 82 minutes when Robinho scored a sumptuous volley.
Pepe Murcia secured his first win as Atletico Madrid coach after a 2-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.
Following Carlos Bianchi's exit, Murcia was handed the job of lifting Atletico up La Liga during the second half of the season.
Atletico took the lead in Zaragoza on 27 minutes when Maxi Rodriguez poked the ball home.
Rodriguez was then fouled on 58 minutes and that handed Fernando Torres the chance to score from the penalty spot.
It was the second meeting of the week between Atletico and Zaragoza following a 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey.
Click below for an individual match summary:
Real Madrid 3-1 Cadiz
Real Zaragoza 0-2 Atletico Madrid
