Beckham sent off in Madrid Cup clash

David Beckham was sent off late in the game as Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

The England captain was given his marching orders in the 87th minute after collecting two yellow cards.

His first was for dissent in the 68th minute before he saw red for a harmless foul on Pablo Aimar.

Beckham said: "I was happy with the result but disappointed with the sending off.

"I didn't think it was deserved because I was running back and I just clipped his ankle as I ran back with him and the referee decided it was another card.

"I knew I was going off because the referee (Medina Cantalejo) had been like that all day, not just with Madrid, but with Valencia as well.

"I don't know what the first card was for. Even if I had said something to the referee he wouldn't have understood it.

"It's different for English players in Spain. The mentality is different. There are things you can get away with in the Premier League that you can't do here.

"I wouldn't have got sent off in England, but I have no qualms with the referee, it's his decision."

It was otherwise a good night for Madrid, who moved closer to a place in the semi-finals with goals from Raul, Ronaldo and Luis Figo.

Valencia's misery was compounded when they also had captain David Albelda dismissed late in the game, two minutes after Beckham.

Raul set Real on the way with wonderful glancing in the 32nd minute.

The second half proved a scrappy affair but Ronaldo pounced to settle the result 10 minutes from time.

Figo wrapped up the scoring from the penalty spot five minutes later as the referee penalised a foul on Raul although TV replays showed Carlos Marchena had clearly played the ball.

Albelda was dismissed soon after, also for a second bookable offence.

Real's city rivals Atletico were beaten 4-0 by Sevilla in Wednesday's other tie.