Real Madrid Keeps Lead in Spanish League

Real Madrid beat visiting Deportivo La Coruna 3-1 Saturday to keep its Spanish league lead with two rounds left. Sergio Ramos put Madrid ahead in the 29th minute and David Beckham almost made it 2-0 when he hit the post from a free kick.

Deportivo's Joan Capdevila tied it in the 57th, but Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez scored with a header a minute later from a cross by Beckham. Ruud Van Nistelrooy made it 3-1 in the 75th.

Raul was playing his 605th game for Madrid, matching Francisco Gento's total with the Spanish power.

Madrid leads the standings on 72 points, three more than second-place FC Barcelona, which hosted Cadiz later Saturday. Even if the clubs are tied at the end of the season, Madrid will win the title because it has the better record in games between the two.

Villarreal won 3-2 at Valencia, with Diego Forlan scoring twice for the visitors.