Real Madrid 2 - Betis 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Cambiasso, Zidane (Portillo 88'), Figo; Ronaldo (Morientes 88'), Raúl (Solari 77'). 4-4-2.
Betis: Contreras; Varela (Ito 85'), Juanito, Lembo, Mingo; Marcos Assunçao, Arzu; Joaquín, Capi, Ismael (Fernando 61'); Palermo (Maldonado 73'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 02. Beckham. Turned ball in near to goal from Ronaldo's low cross.
1-1. 34. Juanito. Headed wide of Casillas from Joaquín corner.
2-1. 62. Ronaldo. First time volley on far post from Zidane cross.

David Beckham's new career in Spain couldn't have got off to a better start. The latest addition to Real Madrid's galaxy of stars scored within two minutes of the start of the match against Betis, and had a hand in the second goal which won the match for his new club in the second half.

Becks turned goalscorer early on after Ronaldo took a return pass from Raúl and swung the ball into his path in front of goal, leaving him with the honour of scoring the first goal in this new league season. A few minutes later Betis new keeper Contreras saved from Ronaldo, and soon afterwards Raúl failed to turn Ronaldo's cross into the net when free in front of goal.

But after that Madrid lost their way a bit, and Palermo almost levelled the scores with a header against the post. And by half time the visitors were level after Juanito got ahead of Cambiasso to head Joaquín's corner past Casillas.

The appearance of a streaker at half time seemed to revive the league champions though, and they came close to scoring with a triple chance, Beckham rattling the upright with a long shot, Zidane forcing Contreras to squeeze the ball away on the follow up and Roberto Carlos putting the rebound wide. A couple of minutes later a long ball from Beckham found Zidane down the left wing, and the French midfielder crossed in for Ronaldo to volley home what was to prove the winner.

There were still however some doubts, Casillas standing up to block a shot from Joaquín and turning another effort from the Spanish international winger round the post for a corner near the end. Madrid's weak point is still their defence, and they may well be signing Valencia's Ayala (or if not, another defender) before the transfer window closes on Sunday.