Casillas gets hit on the head by a lighter thrown from
the crowd
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was hit on the head by a
lighter thrown from behind the goal during his sides Primera Liga
match away to Osasuna on Sunday.
The Spain international had just gone to collect the ball from
behind the goal in the 43rd minute when the incident occurred in
Osasunas Reyno de Navarra stadium.
Casillas was able to continue and Real went on to win the game 4-1
with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring all four of Reals
goals.
Ronaldinho inspires Barca while Ruud notches a hat-trick
for Real Madrid
A magnificent Ronaldinho led Barcelona to a dramatic 3-1 comeback
win over Real Zaragoza in the Nou Camp on Sunday which moved them
back to the top of the Primera Liga. After the European and Spanish
champions had fallen behind to an early strike from Zaragozas
Gabriel Milito, the Brazilian playmaker headed Barca level in the
30th minute.
Then, with both sides reduced to 10 men, he curled a superb
free-kick into the top corner with four minutes remaining, and in
time added on struck another against the crossbar which Javier
Saviola put in with his head. Barcelona are top with 23 points, one
ahead of Sevilla who were held to a goalless draw away to Racing
Santander.
Four goals from Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy earned Real
Madrid a convincing 4-1 away win over Osasuna that put them third
on 20 points. The former Manchester United frontman scored three
before halftime and rounded off an impressive display with a fourth
near the end. He became the leagues joint top scorer with eight
goals along with Ronaldinho, Sevillas Frederic Kanoute and
Zaragozas Diego Milito.
It was his second hat-trick of the season. The other was against
Levante in a 4-1 away win in September. "Two years ago I also
scored four in a Champions League match against Sparta Prague but
today was different because we only had four or five chances and
every one went in," said Van Nistelrooy. Getafe are level on 19
points with Zaragoza but fifth on goal difference after midfielder
Nacho pounced on an error from Real Mallorca goalkeeper Toni Prats
to give Bernd Schusters side a 1-0 win.
Valencia who drew 1-1 at home against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday
are a point back in sixth place. The traditionally hostile
reception given to Real in Pamplona ensured a turbo-charged opening
as Osasuna tried to impose themselves early on. Cameroon striker
Pierre Webo had just headed over the bar from a good position when
Real struck in the 12th minute to take the wind out of the home
sides sails.
Robinhos long-range effort was too powerful for goalkeeper Ricardo
to hold and Van Nistelrooy, who scored two in the Kings Cup during
the week, was on hand to slot the loose ball into the net. Real
doubled the lead in the 27th minute when Guti and Robinho combined
well on the edge of the area, but as a defender intervened the ball
spun clear to Van Nistelrooy, who poached his second at the far
post.
The game was effectively settled just before the break when Rauls
pass put Van Nistelrooy through on goal and he scored left-footed
inside Ricardos near post. Former Real player Valdo pulled a goal
back for Osasuna with a header from a corner in the 64th minute as
they resorted to increasingly physical methods to try and get back
into the game.
But it was Van Nistelrooy who had the last word, collecting a pass
from Emerson wide on the left, advancing and then curling a
side-footed shot inside the far post from the edge of the area, six
minutes from time. Two attack-minded teams put on a pulsating
display of open football in the Nou Camp as Zaragoza decided to
take Barcelona on at their own game.
After being forced to soak up intense early pressure Victor
Fernandezs side scored from a corner in the 16th minute when
Argentine defender Gabriel Milito arrived unmarked to volley home
from close range. Barcas defence looked shaky but they drew level
when Ronaldinho rose to head Decos corner in at the far post.
The game erupted in controversy midway through the second half as
Diego Militos theatrics got Barcas Thiago Motta sent off in the
72nd minute, as he fell to the floor clutching his face after
Mottas hand brushed his chest in a challenge. After three minutes
of heated protests from Barca the game resumed and immediately
Saviola was pulled back by Gabriel Milito after he let the ball
slip under his foot as the last man back. A red was shown and he
followed Motta down the tunnel.
Ronaldinho proved the decisive figure at the end with two stunning
freekicks to bring to an end a breathless match. The only dark spot
on the night for Barca was losing Brazilian Edmilson and Argentine
forward Lionel Messi to injury in the first half. Barca fear Messi
may have broken a metatarsal in his foot which could put him out
for up to three months.
