Impressive Almería shock Real Madrid

UD Almería brought Real Madrid CF's Primera División winning streak to a halt with a deserved victory at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos on Saturday night.

Winning run
Bernd Schuster's team had won their last eight top-flight fixtures, opening up a commanding lead at the top of the table. However Almería paid little regard to their visitors' achievements as the hosts struck in either half to shock the champions. Juanito scored the hosts' first after 16 minutes, turning a free-kick from the left over the line, despite the best efforts of Iker Casillas.

Van Nistelrooy woe
Real Madrid were second best for much of the first period, and their problems deepened when Ruud van Nistelrooy went down clutching his right ankle. The Dutch forward was replaced at half-time by Gonzalo Higuaín and within seconds of the restart Alvaro Negredo doubled Almería's lead from the penalty spot after a foul by Fabio Cannavaro. Almería are now seventh in the standings after their fourth successive victory, while Madrid's lead can be reduced to six points if FC Barcelona overcome CA Osasuna tomorrow.

Deportivo joy
Meanwhile, Saturday's only other game was focused on the other end of the table as RC Deportivo La Coruña claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a 1-0 win at Real Betis Balompié. Pablo Amo scored the winner nine minutes before the break after turning in a right-wing cross at the far post. Deportivo missed a chance to make it 2-0 in the second half when Ricardo saved Juan Rodríguez's penalty but they held on to claim a win that moved them out of the relegation zone into 17th, just two points behind Betis.