Real Madrid rallies to beat Almeria 4-2 in Spain

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid rallied to beat Almeria 4-2 in the Spanish league on Saturday after late goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Madrid had gone ahead in the first half through Sergio Ramos' header and appeared to be in control of the game. However, defensive lapses saw Almeria's Fernando Soriano and Kalu Uche score in the second half, prompting a spirited fightback from the hosts.

Ronaldo was the focus of attention, missing a penalty and refusing to celebrate when Benzema followed through to score before getting a goal himself.

Playing in his second league game since returning from a two-month injury lay-off, Ronaldo was then sent off after receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt when celebrating his goal and then another for kicking out at an Almeria player.

"I'm someone who doesn't like to make mistakes. I'm very much a perfectionist," Ronaldo said. "I scored after (missing the penalty) so I'm happy about that."

Barcelona, which visits Deportivo La Coruna later Saturday, leads the standings on 33 points. Real Madrid is second on 31.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid continued its recent revival by beating troubled Xerez 2-0, and Sevilla was held to a 1-1 draw by Valladolid.

Madrid dominated the early stages at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, a continuation of last week's improved performance from its 1-0 loss to Barcelona in a tightly fought "clasico." However, Manuel Pellegrini's team failed to take advantage of its possession.

Rafael van der Vaart, starting in midfield in place of the injured Kaka, was a threat from the start. Teammate Esteban Granero should have scored in the 24th when the Netherlands midfielder's pass found him in space in the area, but he blasted the ball straight at goalkeeper Diego Alves from close range.

Ramos jumped above his marker to head in from Ronaldo's pin-point cross from the right in the 32nd minute. Madrid nearly doubled its lead moments later when Alves pushed away Van Der Vaart's shot.

At the start of the second half, Ronaldo shot just wide after creating space in the area with a trademark stepover.

Referee Estrada Fernandez ignored Ronaldo's appeal for a penalty when Jose Manuel "Chico" Flores dispossessed the Portugal winger in the area.

The visitors struggled to create a single clear chance until the 56th minute when Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas had to dive at full stretch to stop Kalu Uche's low shot.

Almeria suddenly looked more confident and slipshod defending by Madrid allowed Fernando Soriano to fire past Casillas in the 58th.

Uche put Almeria ahead four minutes later, slotting home after Granero had failed to clear.

Benzema replaced Van Der Vaart on the hour as Madrid tried to boost its attacking options.

With Madrid looking increasingly frantic, Gonzalo Higuain calmed nerves by stepping round a defender and curving the ball into the bottom right corner to equalize.

Ronaldo won a penalty when he fell in the area in the 82nd as Alves ran out to challenge him, although replays showed the goalkeeper touched the ball. Alves dived to his right to save Ronaldo's penalty but Benzema followed through to score.

Ronaldo walked dejected and alone back to the center circle as his teammates celebrated with Benzema.

The Portuguese then scored himself from Higuain's pass.

"Ronaldo's influence is very positive for the team. He's an ambitious and brave man ... and I think he's been the victim of that passion," said Madrid director general Jorge Valdano, who added that the first half of the game was "the best we have played in the Bernabeu" this season.

Diego Forlan put Atletico ahead in the 29th minute from Jose Antonio Reyes' assist and Sergio Aguero made sure of victory by scoring in the 65th.

The win gives Atletico 13 points and lifts it temporarily from 17th to 11th place until the weekend's games are completed.

Xerez, whose president resigned on Thursday following a run of poor results, remains bottom with seven points.

At the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, Valladolid's Mateus "Manucho" Contreiras scored his second goal of the season with a diving header from Diego Costa's cross in the 34th.

Sevilla equalized in injury time before the break. Jesus Navas earned a penalty when Alberto Marcos brought him down in the area and Luis Fabiano converted.

However, Sevilla struggled to impose its usual quick-passing game on a well-organized Valladolid, which is now 14th on 12 points.

On Sunday it's: Tenerife vs. Sporting Gijon, Espanyol vs. Racing Santander, Mallorca vs. Zaragoza, Malaga vs. Osasuna, Villarreal vs. Getafe, and Athletic Bilbao vs. Valencia.