Beckham breaks league duck as Real recovery continues

Real Madrid's David Beckhan celebrates his goal against Cadiz during their Spanish League football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Beckham got his first league goal of the season as Real Madrid recovered from the shock of going behind to beat Cadiz 3-1.

England captain David Beckham got his first league goal of the season as Real Madrid recovered from the shock of going behind to beat Cadiz 3-1.

Beckham found the net with a thundering free kick from 25 metres after 71 minutes to put Real in front for the first time in the match.

After a scrappy first half, Cadiz's Alexandre Medina made the most of the Real defence's inability to clear the ball when he scored after 55 minutes.

Roberto Carlos then levelled for Real 13 minutes later with a free kick from more than 20 metres before Beckham followed his example from a dead ball situation.

Curiously, all of Real's three goals came from outside the box as Robinho completed Real's comeback eight minutes from time.

The Brazilian international striker celebrates his 22nd birthday on Wednesday but he provided a present for the Real fans with a stunning long-range lob for Real's third goal.

Real had the best of the first half chances but never got into their stride until Roberto Carlos eased the tension with his equaliser.

Zinedine Zidane found the net after 42 minutes, connecting with a good pass from Beckham, but the French star was offside and the goal disallowed.

Real Madrid's Robinho(R) vies with Cadiz's Varela(L) during their Spanish League football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Real Madrid won 3-1.

Barely a minute later, Robinho fell to the ground in the box but Real's claims for a penalty were ignored.

The victory sees Real move up to third ahead of Sunday's matches.

Atletico Madrid notched up their first win in nine games with a 2-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.

The win was also revenge for Zaragoza putting them out of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday.

Ewerthon and Diego Milito had early chances for Zaragoza, who had been unbeaten in their previous six matches, but Maxi Rodriguez drew first blood for the visitors after 27 minutes.

Atletico's Argentine midfielder Ariel Ibagaza sent a long ball forward to his compatriot Rodriguez who stabbed the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez.

Cesar was also at fault for Atletico's second goal after 59 minutes.

The former Spanish international and Real Madrid goalkeeper, who was part of the Spanish giants' 2000 Champions League winning side, brought down Maxi in the box just before the hour and Fernando Torres converted the penalty.

Maxi Rodriguez, seen here in July 2005, scored as Atletico Madrid put a stop to their slide down the Spanish first division when they notched up their first win in nine games with a 2-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.

League leaders Barcelona are looking for their 13th consecutive league win against bottom club Alaves on Sunday.

However, Barca will be without the Spanish first division's top scorer Samuel Eto'o, who is on international duty for Cameroon at the African Nations Cup, as well as the suspended Deco.

"It will be our first league game this season without Samuel and he's an important player," said Barca coach Frank Rijkaard.

"But I've got confidence in the rest of the players in the squad. This will not be a strange test for anybody."

Henrik Larsson is likely to come into the gap left by Eto'o and Rijkaard expects the 34-year-old former European Golden Boot winner to rise to the occasion.

"Larsson especially motivated? He's always like that. It's not the first game he will start. He's a player with experience, a professional who is prepared to take advantage of every opportunity," added Rijkaard.

Alaves were defeated 6-1 on their last visit to the Nou Camp three seasons ago but this time around they are optimistic that they would not endure a similar thrashing despite their lowly position.

"Winning in the Nou Camp is not impossible," said Alaves' Brazilian striker Nene.

Barcelona top the table at the halfway point in the season with 46 points, seven ahead of surprise package Osasuna.

Osasuna go to Villarreal on Sunday, with the Champions League side having failed to score in their last three league outings.