David Beckham took just two minutes to score a goal in his Spanish league debut Saturday as Real Madrid kicked off its title defense with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Real Betis in the opening league match of the season.
Beckham clipped home a low cross from Brazilian ace Ronaldo from close range to net his second goal in three days and continue a fine start to his Madrid career.
On Wednesday, the star midfielder headed home in Madrid's 3-0 Spanish Supercup win over Mallorca on his first appearance for the Spanish powerhouse at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Then, too, the pass came from Ronaldo.
"It's probably the quickest goal I've ever scored," Beckham said. "So it's nice to do it here and on the first day of the season. Hopefully, Ronaldo will keep doing it for me and I'll keep doing it for him."
Ronaldo netted Madrid's game-winning goal in the 61st minute from a move begun by Beckham after Betis had drawn level through international defender Juanito Gutierrez during the first half.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona, struggling to rebuild under a new president after a dismal season last year, beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0. New acquisition Ronaldinho showed flashes of good play but did not score. And Valencia, another traditional Spanish powerhouse seeking to fight back from a disappointing season, managed only a 1-1 draw against lowly Valladolid after trailing for much of the game.
Despite the boost of Beckham's third goal in his eight games for his new club, Madrid gave an uneven display as it successfully began its campaign to lift the title for a record 30th time.
"We suffered and it was all our fault," Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz said. "We had some fantastic moments and then we threw them away."
Queiroz said Beckham played in what he called two phases.
"In the first half he was very good at helping to construct the team's moves. In the second half he made more sacrifices. He played more in the center of the field and helped to organize the team. He did well at this, too."
Beckham also implied that his final stages at Manchester United, who sold him to Madrid in June, were not ideal.
"This is the happiest I've been at this point in time for a year-and-a-half to two years," he said. "Now I'm glad. You have your ups and downs in life, but I'm glad to be over the worst."
On Saturday, Beckham was more involved than in his two previous games for Madrid in Spain. He also hit the crossbar and drew applause from the 65,000 spectators in the stadium with his swerving crosses from the right.
But Madrid, which has been seeking a defensive reinforcement before Sunday's transfer deadline, lost the lead Beckham had provided when its back four suddenly lapsed into slackness.
In the 28th minute, the champions allowed Argentine striker Martin Palermo the freedom to meet Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao's floated free kick with his head. Fortunately for the home team, Palermo, who arrived from Villarreal last week, headed onto the bar. Six minutes later, Madrid was not so lucky as Juanito beat Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso to the ball and nodded home the equalizer from Assuncao's corner.
After a quiet spell, Beckham burst back into life in the 52nd minute by unleashing a fierce shot from outside the area which rattled the Betis crossbar. Following up, French midfielder Zinedine Zidane hit the post.
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