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#3 Mahamadou Diarra’s touch against Mallorca
Those were the dark days for the Blancos. The first era of the Galacticos had ended in the worst possible way and the team that had many defences kneeling to the ground were now reduced to a lopsided bunch of could-have-beens that weren’t hitting their potential.
Barcelona were running away with the league like a rabbit against tortoises, but like it happened in the stories, they slept once they gained a massive lead. Real Madrid, meanwhile, had just added a set of wheels on the tortoise with the addition of David Beckham to the playing XI.
Fabio Capello had shunned the Englishman for months, but finally had to take note of him after the former Manchester United player showed diligence in his activities. Beckham rejuvenated the team and shot them towards Barca with his magnificent form.
By the final match-day, all Real Madrid required was a win and they would conquer the league due to superior head-to-head results against nearest rivals, Barcelona. However, as luck would have it, Mallorca scored in the game first and induced a lot of anxiety among the Madridistas.
To put them into further stress, Ruud van Nistelrooy – who had scored 7 in his last 7 – departed after the 10th minute due to a hamstring problem. Beckham, the man who provided 5 assists in his last 6 games, joined him in the 65th minute. Madrid were now doomed. And it was a shame because they only just gained leadership of the league in the last match-day after Barcelona dropped points.
But sometimes in real life, fairytale endings do take place.
The player that replaced Beckham was no longer wanted at the club, but he made all the difference. Jose Antonio Reyes came in and scored the equaliser. There was hope, there always was to be honest. And then it happened.
Mahamadou Diarra had only just returned from international duty a day ago and didn’t even want to play, but found himself at the end of a corner that he headed towards Moya, whose resulting save was deflected in by Angelos Basinas.
‘VAMOS’ was the word screamed by Iker Casillas at the other end of the pitch. The goalkeeper was in tears – and so were Madridistas, and they would love to cry again on the moment that gave them the league that season.
