Real Madrid beat Valencia
Monday, November 27, 2006

A goal from captain Raul allowed Real Madrid to snatch a 1-0 win against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday and keep pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Valencia dominated for long periods of an intense encounter, but they paid the price for some profligate finishing while the visitors took full advantage of one of their rare attacks.

Raul steered home from eight metres out after Roberto Carlos had cut back a neat pass from the by-line seven minutes into the second half.

Valencia's strike power was seriously undermined when David Villa, who suffered a thigh strain in Wednesday's Champions League win, limped off after just 15 minutes.

Real, who started in third place three points behind leaders Barcelona, couldn't believe their luck as the home strikers seemed to take it in turns to miss chances in front of goal. Vicente shot wide when well placed in the 69th minute.

To complete a miserable night for Sanchez Flores and his team, Angulo missed another chance a minute from the end and Real hung on to take a valuable 1-0 victory against Valencia who have now not won in five games.

The result means Read lie third in the Primera Liga with 26 points, three behind leaders Barcelona and two behind second placed Sevilla.(

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