Sat Jun 9 21:53:47 2007

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Van Nistelrooy rescues Real Madrid's title hopes

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Zaragoza, Spain (Sports Network) - Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the 89th minute to give Real Madrid a 2-2 draw against Real Zaragoza at Estadio La Romareda on Saturday.

The result would have been a disaster for Madrid but Raul Tamudo equalized for Espanyol in the 90th minute to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at Estadio Camp Nou. The third team in the title race, Sevilla, also was held to a draw as they finished 0-0 with Mallorca.

Madrid will enter the season's final day needing just a win against Mallorca to clinch its first La Liga title since the 2002-03 season.

With Madrid's title hopes on the ropes, Van Nistelrooy was able to get inside the six-yard box and push home the equalizer after a scramble in front.

Alberto Diego Milito put the home side ahead in the first half as he converted from the spot, but Van Nistelrooy answered with his first goal 12 minutes after the restart. Milito put home his second goal in the 64th minute to put Madrid in a tough spot, but Van Nistelrooy rescued a point with his 25th goal of the season.

The game was very open at the start with both teams able to create chances. The first opportunity fell to Zaragoza in the seventh minute as Henrique Ewerthon was given space 25 yards from goal. He got a good look at the net and fired his shot just wide of the upper right corner.

In the 11th minute Robinho tried his luck from long range for Madrid, driving a hard shot towards the lower right corner that Zaragoza keeper Sanchez Cesar got down to stop.

Two minutes later the young Brazilian was handed another chance as David Beckham's cross from the right wing ended up on his foot, but his volley went wide at the near post.

The opener came in the 31st when Pablo Aimar made a slashing run into the box and was brought down by Madrid's Ivan Helguera. Milito then stepped up to the spot and sent keeper Iker Casillas the wrong way, placing his shot inside the left post.

The visitors should have equalized right before halftime but a nice save by Cesar kept Zaragoza in front. Robinho took a pass 30 yards from goal and played it wide to Sergio Ramos, who floated a perfect cross onto the head of Van Nistelrooy near the six-yard box. The Dutchman put his header on goal, but Cesar made a nice reaction stop by pushing the ball over the net.

Madrid fought back 12 minutes after the restart to even the match. Ramos once again was looking for Van Nistelrooy inside the box and he chipped a ball towards the striker. However, the ball took a deflection but still fell for Van Nistelrooy, who headed the ball past the keeper from eight-yards out.

The celebration was short lived for Madrid, however, as Milito tallied his second goal seven minutes later. Aimar took possession of the ball at midfield and embarked on a weaving run through the defense before dropping a pass off for Milito, who faked a shot and then slid the ball past a sprawling Casillas to put Zaragoza in front.

Minutes later, Madrid threatened when Jose Antonio Reyes stole the ball inside the Zaragoza end and slid a pass for Gonzalo Higuain at the edge of the box. Higuain was in behind the defense but Cesar came off his line just in time to clear the ball away.

In desperation, Madrid put together a strong attack over the final 20 minutes in an effort to equalize.

A glancing header from Ramos was stopped before Mahamadou Diarra sent a header of his own wide from close range.

With just minutes left to play, a Beckham free kick nearly put Madrid on level terms as he drove the ball into the box and Higuain got a head to it, sending the ball just inches wide.

However, much like they have done over the past two months, Madrid was able to rescue to points right before the final whistle as Van Nistelrooy knocked home a loose ball from inside the six-yard box.

In other action in Spain on Saturday, Celta Vigo moved to within one point of safety with a 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid, Levante doubled up on Valencia 4-2, Osasuna got two goals from Ion Sola in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis, Real Sociedad could only muster a 0-0 draw with Racing and now is three points from safety with just game to play and Athletic Bilbao is now just one point from the drop zone after a 3-1 loss to Villarreal.