Real draws at Valladoid
Monday, September 24, 2007

Javier Saviola scored an 87th-minute equalizer Sunday to help Real Madrid earn a 1-1 draw at Valladolid in the Spanish league.

Saviola pushed Ruud van Nistelrooy's pass into the net 15 minutes after Pedro Lopez scored with a hard shot from 40 yards.

Madrid stayed at the top of the standings with 10 points after four matches, one more than both Valencia and Villarreal.

Joaquin Sanchez scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute to lead Valencia over Real Betis 2-1, while Giuseppe Rossi scored twice as Villarreal beat Murcia 2-0.

Barcelona, which beat Sevilla 2-1 Saturday on two goals from Lionel Messi, has eight points.

Valladolid created a handful of first-half chances as Sisinio Gonzalez and Daniel Kome harassed Madrid's back line.

Both goalkeepers made solid saves before halftime. Valladolid's Ludovic Butelle deflected Raul Gonzalez's swerving shot wide, and Iker Casillas tipped Sisino's curler over the crossbar.

Winger Arjen Robben made his league debut in the 61st for Madrid, and substitute Gonzalo Higuain had two chances after coming on for Robinho.

Joseba Llorente pushed a point-blank rebound from Casillas over the goal in injury time as the newly promoted club nearly got the upset.

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