Cazorla stuns Real with late equaliser
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E-mail China Daily, March 19, 2012
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Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid March 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
Santi Cazorla hammered a superb last-minute freekick into the top corner to earn Malaga a surprise 1-1 draw at leaders Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
Real moved on to 71 points with 11 matches left to play but after 11 straight victories saw their lead cut to eight points, champions Barcelona having beaten Sevilla 2-0 away on Saturday.
Karim Benzema had headed Real in front after 35 minutes but the visitors refused to crumble under some intense pressure and Spain international Cazorla grabbed a deserved equaliser in time added on.
Big-spending Malaga, who were bought by a member of the Qatari royal family two years ago, were fifth with 41 points.
"We wanted to stay in the game and with only one goal against us anything was possible," Cazorla told Spanish television.
"I'd already gone close in the first half but at the end there it went in. A victory was vital for our objectives."
Real came out wearing shirts in support of Barcelona's Eric Abidal, who is set to have a liver transplant, and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game in England on Saturday.
Malaga matched the hosts in a high-tempo opening until France striker Benzema arrived unmarked at the back post to nod in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross.
Jose Mourinho's men created a host of chances, La Liga top scorer Ronaldo being denied by a flying save from Willy Caballero and Benzema blazing wide from six metres out.
Cazorla was brought down on the edge of the area by Esteban Granero in the 92nd minute and the former Villarreal player left Iker Casillas with no chance.
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