Beckham bends it for Real

David Beckham swerved home his first free-kick goal in the Primera Liga as Real Madrid saw the best of the England captain in a 3-1 win in Malaga.

Beckham lit up the second half with a goal of supreme quality, having set up Ronaldo for Madrid’s opener in the first half with a corner.

And although an equally sensational overhead kick by Malaga’s Patricio Edgar gave the home side hope that they could earn something from the match, they were soon two goals down again when Guti chipped in Madrid’s third.

Beckham’s goal was a well-worked set-piece with Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos. The former Manchester United rolled the ball to Figo, who stopped it, apparently to set up the Brazilian for the shot, but instead it was Beckham who curled the ball in at the far post.

Victory took Real level with Valencia in second place after Deportivo la Coruna had earlier claimed top spot with a 3-0 win over bottom side Albacete.

Depor bizarrely had substitute Lionel Scaloni sent off five minutes before the break for committing two bookable offences whilst warming up on the touchline.

It was the 11 men still on the field that mattered, however, and they won comfortably with goals from Noureddine Naybet, Albert Luque and Walter Pandiani.

Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad continued their return to form by overpowering Real Zaragoza 3-0 in San Sebastian.

Nihat Kahveci opened the scoring on his first start of the season, and substitute Oscar De Paula netted twice in the closing stages.

Elsewhere, Real Betis missed out on the chance to join the Primera Liga high-flyers as they were held goalless by Santander at home.

Murcia and Atletic Bilbao also drew 2-2 and Sevilla held Real Mallorca 1-1. Valladolid beat Espanyol 3-1.