Higuain helps Real to victory

Oct 18, 2008 - 10:17 PM By PA SportsTicker

Gonzalo Higuain's last-gasp penalty broke Atletico Madrid hearts as Real continued their impressive unbeaten streak at the Vicente Calderon with a 2-1 win Saturday.

Real, who have not lost a league game in their neighbors' backyard since the 1998-99 season, took a first-minute lead through Ruud van Nistelrooy but Simao Sabrosa's 89th-minute free-kick looked to have saved Atletico.

However, Higuain showed nerves of steel deep into injury-time to slot home the winner from the spot after John Heitinga had brought down fellow Dutchman Royston Drenthe in the box.

Both teams had also played over half the match with only 10 players after Luis Perea and Van Nistelrooy were shown straight red cards in separate first-half incidents.

Real, meanwhile, had two 'goals' through Van Nistelrooy and Raul ruled out in the first half for marginal offsides.

Real Madrid move on to 16 points, one behind league leaders Villarreal who were held at home to a goalless draw with ninth-placed Espanyol.

Villarreal had goalkeeper Diego Lopez to thank for earning them a point with a splendid penalty save from Raul Tamudo.