Raul brace gives Real the points

A Zinedine Zidane volley and two late goals from Raul earned Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-1 win at home to Racing Santander.

A Zinedine Zidane volley and two late goals from Raul earned Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-1 win at home to Racing Santander.

Israeli striker Yossi Benayoun gave Racing a deserved leadin the 16th minute, firing in on the turn after Fernando Moranhad created the opening.

Racing passed the ball better than their illustriousopponents and created a string of chances but they failed toextend their lead and paid the price in the 27th minute whenZidane smacked in a Ronaldo cross from the edge of the area.

Racing continued to play the better football but they werehit twice on the break in the last 12 minutes by Raul.

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Victory for Real gave them 19 points from eight matches andtook them up to second place, behind Valencia on goaldifference.

Malaga survived a late fightback from Real Zaragoza to claim a 2-1 home winon Saturday.

A near-post header from Litos in the 28th minute and a SalvaBallesta penalty in the final minute of the first-half gave thehome side a comfortable lead going into the break.

Zaragoza hardly created a chance in the second period beforeGoran Drulic reduced the arrears with two minutes left of normaltime.

The visitors poured forward but the Malaga defence camethrough a couple of nervous moments to secure a victory thattakes them up to 10th place.

Valencia are looking to move three points clear with a winaway to Deportivo Coruna in Saturday's late game. Victory forDeportivo, third with 18 points, would be enough to take themtop of the table.