Madrid maintain perfect start

Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF warmed up for next week's UEFA Champions League matches by recording home victories against UD Almeria and Real Valladolid CF respectively on Saturday night.

Fine free-kick
Argentina forward Javier Saviola opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu after 36 minutes, although Madrid had to wait over half an hour to double that lead as in-form Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder scored yet another fine free-kick. The visitors had Albert Crusat sent off before Kalu Uche gave them a lifeline by beating Iker Casillas in the 72nd minute. The crucial fourth goal went Madrid's way, though, as Gonzalo Higuaín struck with three minutes to go to maintain the champions' perfect start.

German opposition
Madrid are at home again on Tuesday against Werder Bremen, while Valencia also meet German opposition in the form of FC Schalke 04. Los Che have six points from their three matches, although tonight's game looked like being a draw all the way until David Silva fired in a shot which took a deflection before finding the net in added time to make it 2-1. Daniel Kome had given Valladolid the lead in the ninth minute, with Fernando Morientes equalising in the 24th. In the day's late game, Athletic Club Bilbao were held 1-1 by Real Zaragoza, after Diego Milito cancelled out Markel Susaeta's opener