Beckham survives Real cup scare

David Beckham and Real Madrid narrowly avoided an embarrassing cup defeat in Spain last night.

Madrid needed a last-gasp equaliser from Santiago Solari and an extra-time goal from Raul to clinch a 4-3 victory away to Second Division Leganes in an epic Copa del Rey second-round clash.

England captain Beckham put Real ahead with a free-kick after 15 minutes and Raul made it 2-0 to the Primera Liga leaders eight minutes before half-time.

But Leganes, from a working class suburb south of Madrid, equalised with two Borja goals before half-time.

The midtable side went ahead five minutes after the re-start with a Francisco Pavon own goal, but Solari and Raul, with his second goal, saved Real from humiliation.