Real Madrid went top of the Primera Liga when they snatched a 2-1 home win over lowly Albacete tonight in an absorbing game that featured breathtaking first half goals from either side.
England captain David Beckham had put Real ahead on 38 minutes with a spectacular long-distance strike but his effort was upstaged just over a minute later when Albacete midfielder Libero Parri smashed home an unstoppable volley.
Albacete looked as though they were on course to gain a thoroughly deserved away point but their hard work went unrewarded when Zinedine Zidane popped up in the area seven minutes from time to head in from close range.
The result means Real are level on points at the top with Deportivo la Coruna, who were held to a 0-0 draw against a dominant Real Betis at a rain-drenched Ruiz de Lopera on Saturday.
Third-placed Valencia, who are three points behind the leading duo but have a better goal difference, can displace Real if they win their later match at Murcia.
Earlier today, Valladolid brought an abrupt end to Atletico Madrid's six-match winning streak with a comprehensive 3-1 win on a treacherous rain-sodden pitch at Nuevo Zorrilla.
Champions League side Celta Vigo continued their poor run when they lost 2-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao, who claimed their first away win of the season thanks to goals from defenders Mari Lacruz and Andoni Iraola.
The Basque side leapfrogged a host of sides to move into fourth place in the table, a point ahead of Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at Villarreal on Saturday, and three behind Valencia.
Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz surprisingly left leading scorer Ronaldo and midfielder Ivan Helguera on the bench at the Bernabeu, preferring to give former youth team players Javier Portillo and Borja a run out against their modest opponents.