Real Madrid needed an injury-time strike from Ruud van Nistelrooy to defeat Real Betis 2-1 away from home in the Primera Liga on Saturday. Argentinean defender Gabriel Heinze put the visitors ahead in the 19th minute. He rose unmarked to head Rafael van der Vaart's left-wing free-kick past Betis keeper Castro Espinosa. Real's Brazilian defender Marcelo was sent-off seven minutes after the restart for a last-man foul on Damia Abella as Betis were awarded a deserved penalty. Sergio Garcia's initial spot-kick was blocked by Real keeper Iker Casillas but the Spanish winger notched home on the rebound. Betis couldn't make their numerical advantage count, though. Goalscorer Garcia was red-carded for collecting a second booking in the 82nd minute. In-form Dutch striker Van Nistelrooy snatched a valuable winner for Real in stoppage time. He raced clear of the defense after latching onto Arjen Robben's deft through pass before firing an angled low shot that found its way into the bottom corner. The win put holders Real in second place of the league table with 12 points, just one behind surprise leaders Villarreal. The Yellow Submarines defeated Sporting Gijon 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal by Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi.
