First Division - Day 37

Zaragoza 2 - Real Madrid 2

Zaragoza: César; Zapater, Sergio, Gabriel Milito, Chus Herrero; Piqué, Celades (Lafita 79'); D'Alessandro, Ewerthon (Movilla 56'), Aimar; Diego Milito (Oscar González 81'). 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Iván Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Diarra, Emerson (Guti 46'); Beckham, Raúl (Higuaín 46'), Robinho (Reyes 66'); Van Nistelrooy. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Zaragoza: Chus Herrero, Piqué, Celades, Ewerthon for Diogo, Juanfran, Movilla, Sergio García / Madrid: Iván Helguera, Emerson for Miguel Torres, Gago.

Goals:
1-0. 32. Diego Milito (penalty). After Helguera brought down Aimar inside area.
1-1. 57. Van Nistelrooy. Header down past César from Sergio Ramos cross.
2-1. 64. Diego Milito. Picked up pass from Aimar and beat defender to score.
2-2. 89. Van Nistelrooy. Scored from close up after César parried Higuaín shot.

Real Madrid held on to top spot by the skin of their teeth after drawing 2-2 at Zaragoza. With only a couple of minutes to go they appeared to have handed over the lead to arch rivals Barcelona, a goal down with the Catalans winning their game in the Nou Camp. But Van Nistelrooy levelled the scores with his second of the night after César could only palm away a long shot from Higuaín, and just eighteen seconds later Tamudo equalised to deprive Barcelona of their victory.

Capello's side had been up against it from the start against a team who were still fighting for one of the UEFA cup spots, with Diego Milito and D'Alessandro both being pulled up for borderline offsides and Ewerthon shooting wide. And with just over half an hour gone Diego put the locals ahead from the penalty spot after Helguera tripped Aimar (and also handled the ball in the same action) inside the area.

César kept his side ahead with a point blank save from Van Nistelrooy just before the break, but he could do nothing when the Dutch striker headed a Sergio Ramos cross down and past him soon after the restart. Just seven minutes later though Diego restored the lead after good work by Aimar, and despite efforts by Higuaín, Diarra and Ramos, the visitors appeared to be down and out before that dramatic ending. The draw keeps Zaragoza in the UEFA cup spots, and means that Madrid will be champions for the first time in four years if they can beat Mallorca next weekend.