Real Madrid 1 - Racing Santander 0

Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Heinze; Robben (Faubert 60'), Lass, Sneijder (Javi García 71'), Van der Vaart (Marcelo 77'); Higuaín, Raúl. 4-4-2.
Racing: Toño; Valera, Oriol, César Navas, Marcano; Jonathan Pereira, Colsa, Lacen (Luccin 61'), Oscar Serrano; Zigic, Tchité (Toni Moral 57'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Madrid: Van der Vaart for Gago / Racing: Oscar Serrano, Tchité for Munitis, Toni Moral.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Higuaín. Picked up Raúl headed pass and rounded defender to score.

Yellow cards: Lass 42', Oriol 55', Robben 56', Sneijder 69', Van der Vaart 74', Valera 84', Luccin 89'.

Real Madrid's recovery under Juande Ramos continues, and they beat Racing Santander 1-0 on Saturday evening to make it seven wins in a row. Ramos has built his side around the defence, in particular Iker Casillas, who equalled Buyo's record for a keeper of 454 appearances today. Casillas was called upon once again to make a couple of important saves from Jonathan Pereira either side of half time, but otherwise only a late header from Zigic over the bar caused any problems for a side who have now only let in one goal in those seven games.

Madrid themselves had difficulty creating chances though, with Sergio Ramos poking a shot wide early on and Robben and Van der Vaart testing Toño later in the first half. Four minutes after the restart however Raúl headed a long ball on for Higuaín to cut past César Navas and beat the keeper from a wide angle. After that only Higuaín created any danger, the only other point of note the debut of Faubert who replaced Robben for the last half hour. Three more points though, and Barcelona are not yet home and dry.