Real Madrid loses to Mallorca 3-2
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-09 09:54

Real Madrid lost for the fourth time in five games, dropping a 3-2 decision to Mallorca in Spanish League play Saturday.

Real Madrid's English player David Beckham takes a free kick against Mallorca in a Spanish league soccer match in Madrid Saturday May 8, 2004. [AP]

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o scored twice for Mallorca.

The loss by defending champion Real Madrid means Valencia can win the title with a victory at Sevilla. If Valencia loses, it will need just two points in its remaining two matches to win the championship.

Madrid has lost three straight at home.

Third-place FC Barcelona had its title hopes hurt with a 1-0 loss at Celta de Vigo.

Barcelona had its 17-match unbeaten streak in the league snapped and is five points behind Valencia.

"The league is practically out of reach. It's sad because we thought we could win the title, but after losing these three points the objective is a long way off," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said.

Valencia has 74 points in 35 games, while defending champion Madrid has 70 in 36,and Barcelona has 69 in 36. Deportivo, which plays Espanyol on Sunday, has 65 points.

Mallorca, which beat Madrid 5-1 in its last league game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, scored three times in the first half.

Madrid, missing the suspended Zinedine Zidane, fell behind in the 10th minute when Eto'o outpaced the defense and lifted a shot past goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Madrid tied the score at 1-all seven minutes later when Pavon scored on a header of a corner by David Beckham. The goal was Pavon's first in league play this season.

Eto'o, who once played for Madrid's reserve team, scored 20 minutes later, collecting a misdirected pass, weaving to the left and darting between Pavon and Luis Figo before scoring from inside the area.

Midfielder Alejandro Campano floated his free kick past Casillas for the third goal, provoking a chorus of whistles.

Figo later scored with a twice-taken penalty.

Ronaldo scored in the 65th minute, but the goal was disallowed due to a hand-ball. The Brazilian ace received a yellow card, and will miss next week's game at Murcia.

With Ronaldinho struggling, Barcelona lost its first league game since Jan. 4.

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