Real scrape win at home to Zaragoza

A depleted Real Madrid scraped a 1-0 win at home to Real Zaragoza yesterday thanks to a late penalty from Roberto Carlos that pushed them up into third place in the Primera Liga.

Champions Barcelona reclaimed second spot when they beat Getafe 3-1 last night on the other side of the Spanish capital.

Brazilian fullback Roberto Carlos fired home from the spot 12 minutes from time after Robinho was adjudged to have been fouled by Zaragoza defender Leonardo Ponzio.

Minutes earlier, Robinho had wasted a chance to put Real ahead when he fluffed a controversial penalty awarded after he went down under pressure from keeper Cesar and defender Alvaro.

Real were on the ropes for much of the second half, but high-quality keeping from Iker Casillas allowed them to hang on for a vital home win.

Surprise package Osasuna top the table with 24 points from 11 games after inflicting a first home defeat of the season on Real Sociedad with a 2-1 win at Anoeta on Saturday.

Real Madrid lie third on 21 points, one ahead of Celta Vigo who notched a 2-1 victory at home to struggling Alaves earlier yesterday.

Real Betis, who claimed a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek, were brought back down to earth when they were held to a 1-1 draw at R. Santander.

Malaga and Deportivo also shared the points with a 1-1 draw at La Rosaleda, while Sevilla and Atletico Madrid were unable to find the net in an entertaining 0-0 draw at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Played Yesterday

Cadiz vs R. Mallorca 1-2
Celta Vigo vs Alaves 2-1
Getafe vs Barcelona 1-3

Malaga vs Deportivo 1-1
R. Santander vs Real Betis 1-1
R. Madrid vs R. Zaragoza 1-0
Sevilla vs A. Madrid 0-0

Played On Saturday

R. Sociedad vs Osasuna 1-2
Espanyol vs A. Bilbao 1-1
Villarreal vs Valencia 1-0