Real Woody woe on Madrid debut

Real Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 1

Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 but Woodgate endured the type of debut best forgotten.

After 17 months on the sidelines with a nightmare thigh injury, Woodgate finally made his bow in the Spanish capital alongside Francisco Pavon at the heart of the Madrid defence, with Ivan Helguera injured and new signing Sergio Ramos suspended.

Despite starting brightly, Madrid - who lost their previous three games - found themselves 1-0 down on 25 minutes, when Woodgate’s diving header diverted Joseba Etxeberria’s speculative shot past his own goalkeeper.

Woodgate’s woes were compounded moments later when his rustiness was exposed as he was booked for a clumsy lunge.

The second period saw Madrid equalise when Robinho scored his first goal and then a brace from Raul put Madrid in control.

In between Raul’s goals, Woodgate’s nightmare continued as he was sent-off, rather harshly perhaps, after picking up a second booking for a block on Etxeberria.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Salgado, Carlos, Woodgate, Pavon, Garcia, Gravesen (Guti 46), Beckham, Gonzalez (De la Red 82), Ronaldo (Bravo 69), Robinho, Codina.

ATHLETIC BILBAO: Aranzubia, Exposito, Lacruz, Prieto (Murillo 80), Tiko, Yeste (Llorente 69), Orbaiz, Gurpegi (Iraola 74), Gutierrez, Etxeberria, Casas.

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Pamplona).

* Former Chelsea midfielder Tiago was on target but Lyon wasted the chance to move four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 last night as they drew 1-1 with Lens.

Gerard Houllier’s team fell behind after six minutes at the Stade Gerland when Adama Coulibaly netted.

However, Tiago equalised eight minutes before half-time.