David Beckham and Jonathan Woodgate made Real Madrid history on Wednesday as it was the first time that two Englishmen, or British players for that matter, had scored in the same game for the Spanish giants.
The England internationals, with Woodgate hoping to soon be back in England coach Sven Goran Eriksson’s plans after 17 months out injured, scored Real’s first and last goals in their 4-1 Champions League thrashing of Rosenborg.
For Woodgate, his goal was especially poignant after his long absence following his move from Newcastle United in August 2004 and then terrible start, scoring an own goal and getting sent off in his Real debut last month.
”It was a great feeling to score. I just waited at the back post because I saw David and I knew he was going to put a great ball in,” reflected Woodgate on the fact that he and Beckham had combined for Real’s opener.
”I thought ‘Get your head on it’. I just jumped and smashed it in.”
Woodgate then galloped over to the Real bench to embrace not coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, who has stood by him in recent weeks, but club doctor Alfonso Del Corral.
”I saluted the fans and then I ran to the dugout to jump on Dr Del Corral because it has been hard for me and him over the last year. Its great to put all that behind me.
”He worked so hard to help me recover and I had to make sure he got the credit he deserves. I am happy, it was a good game and the goal was important for the team.
”Dr Del Corral is my friend, I ran over and gave him a hug because I like him a lot.
”He helped me in the bad times and it was great to be able to celebrate with him,” added the central defender.
Beckham also had a night of glory, setting up Woodgate and Ivan Helguera’s goal, having a hand in the move that led to club captain Raul Gonzalez getting Real’s second goal and then scoring himself from a thundering free kick.
”It’s always nice to set up goals and score one as well. It [the goal] might even be my best one for quite a while. It was better than the free kicks I scored with last season,” said Beckham.
”In the first half I was playing deeper and more central but in the second half I was out on the right and that gave me more freedom,” added the England captain.
Beckham also paid tribute to Woodgate.
”It’s great for him. I’m really pleased because for a player to be out for that length of time, and then to come back and do well in front of a crowd that adores him, that’s really good.
Ironically, on a night when the Union Jack was metaphorically hoisted high above Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium if not literally, Luxemburgo did his best to try and dampen down any English euphoria.
”Woodgate and Beckham played well but they are just part of a team,” said Real’s Brazilian boss.
Luxemburgo put Real’s scintillating second half down to his no-holds-barred team talk at the break, after Rosenborg had taken the lead just before half time, completely against the run of play.
Neverthless, Luxemburgo still took delight in Woodgate finally getting a a goal that helped his own team.
”We joked about him scoring another own goal but fortunately he managed it at the right end,” added Luxemburgo, who has been a staunch ally of Woodgate. – AFP
