Real Madrid lose 3-2 at home to Zarag
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Zaragoza striker Angel Lafita was the star of the show as his side produced a shock 3-2 win away to Real Madrid to take a huge step towards avoiding relegation to the second division.
A huge mistake from Madrid keeper Iker Casillas opened the door for Zaragoza to win the game, but the visitors produced a disciplined display to take the points and end any small chance Madrid may have had of winning the league title.
It is the second defeat Jose Mourinho's side has suffered in just four days.
Real Madrid took to the pitch with several changes from the side that was beaten by FC Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Although Pepe and Sergio Ramos, both suspended for the return leg, were in Mourinho's starting 11, Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands as a possible punishment for criticizing his side's tactics in midweek.
Karim Benzema, Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain, who were so effective in Valencia last weekend, were in the side, while young defender Nacho Fernandez kept his returned at left back.
Zaragoza were without playmaker Ander Herrera through suspension and the visitors, who kicked off fourth from bottom of the table made it clear that they were not going to allow their rivals and spaces or time on the ball from the start.
As a result there were few chances as Madrid controlled the ball but failed to break through against a rival that was content to defend and hit them on the break.
Four minutes from halftime Zaragoza took the lead following an incredible error from Casillas, who kicked clean air as he looked to clear the ball outside of the penalty area. That left Zaragoza striker Angel Lafita with an easy chance to score into the empty net to put his team ahead.
Zaragoza doubled their lead from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after Ricardo Carvalho brought down Lafita and Gabi Fernandez sent Casillas the wrong way.
That set up an entertaining half hour of the game: First of all Ramos pulled a goal back for Madrid after he headed home a corner taken by Mesut Ozil.
Madrid asked for a penalty after Kaka went down in the Zaragoza area as the home side turned on the pressure, while Benzema hit a shot against the Zaragoza crossbar after 68 minutes.
It looked as if Madrid would draw level, but they were open on the break and Lafita made them pay when he made it 3-1 finishing a counter-attack with a finish past Casillas.
That should have been the end of things, but with five minutes remaining Benzema scored a right foot shot after being teed up by Higuain to make it 3-2.
Carvalho was then sent off for a second yellow card to leave his side with a player less, although Madrid kept pushing for an equalizer in the six minutes of injury time added by referee Ayza Games.
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