Real Madrid 2 - Valencia 1

Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Miguel Torres; Diarra, Gago (Guti 63'); Higuaín (Beckham 66'), Raúl, Robinho (Reyes 85'); Van Nistelrooy. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Miguel, Ayala, Moretti, Del Horno (Hugo Viana 83'); Joaquín (Jorge López 68'), Albelda, Raúl Albiol, David Silva; David Villa, Morientes. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Madrid: Michel Salgado, Miguel Torres, Gago for Iván Helguera, Marcelo, Emerson / Valencia: Del Horno, Albelda for Marchena, Hugo Viana.

Goals:
1-0. 17. Van Nistelrooy. Spectacular volley wide of Cañizares from Torres cross.
1-1. 52. Morientes. Connected with Joaquín cross to sweep shot wide of Casillas.
2-1. 73. Sergio Ramos. Got ahead of Moretti to head Beckham free kick into net.

Real Madrid moved up to within two points of leaders Barcelona after beating title rivals Valencia 2-1 on Saturday evening. Capello's side started the day just one point ahead of their opponents, but with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock Van Nistelrooy gave them the lead, firing home a spectacular first time volley after a good team passing move involving nine players.

Raúl missed a chance to make it two from Higuaín's cross, but Morientes gave a first warning that Valencia were not beaten when he drove a soht just wide of the upright on the stroke of half time. And seven minutes after the restart he made it all square, sweeping Joaquín's cross wide of a stranded Casillas.

Capello turned to Guti and Beckham, and within a few minutes the English midfielder made his mark with a text book free kick from the right which Sergio Ramos headed into the net to restore the lead. It was a killer blow, although the visitors fought back, and Casillas had to be on his toes to keep out Del Horno and Morientes before the final whistle. Madrid were back in the title race, and Valencia could be out of the top four if results go against them on Sunday.