Beckham on target for Real

England captain David Beckham scored a brilliant free-kick to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Numancia in their first home game of the Spanish season.

Zinedine Zidane was brought down in the 17th minute around 25 yards from goal and his fellow midfielder lashed in a brilliant swerving set-piece.

Madrid put Michael Owen on the bench with Raul and Ronaldo chosen in attack while their other Englishman, former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate, is still recovering from injury.

Owen eventually came on as a substitute for Raul midway through the second half but spurned a couple of excellent chances to double Real’s lead.

Both times he was put through by Luis Figo, and although flagged offside for the first he should have beaten the keeper with the second.