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Robinho points Real to first place
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- Real Madrid moved top of the Primera Liga on Saturday after goals from Robinho and Alvaro Mejia gave them a 2-0 win over struggling Real Betis. Brazilian forward Robinho, a $30 million close season buy, scored in the 30th minute to settle down Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side, who had lost their last two league games. Former youth team player Mejia made sure of the points with a second-half header. Betis continued to struggle and have now lost their last three league matches since a 4-0 mauling by Chelsea in the Champions League just over a week ago. Real are level on 18 points with Osasuna, who play Espanyol on Sunday, but in first place due to a superior goal difference. Third-placed Getafe, who have 17 points, travel to face Deportivo Coruna, while three sides are tied on 16 points. Celta Vigo play bottom club Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday, while champions Barcelona have home advantage against in-form Real Sociedad on Sunday. Betis are stalled in 16th place with nine points. Betis and Real fielded unfamiliar sides with both teams suffering from injuries and suspensions. Real were missing Brazilian pair Ronaldo and Julio Baptista, England midfielder David Beckham and France playmaker Zinedine Zidane through injury. Betis were without winger Joaquin and defender Melli, who were both suspended, and injured Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao. A frenetic opening period left little room for constructive football, though Betis posed the greater threat with striker Ricardo Oliveira sending a header just wide of the post early on. Real took the lead with their first attempt at goal. Raul's square pass on the edge of the area found Robinho, with team mate Carlos Diogo stepping over the ball, and the Brazilian curled a low shot just inside the post. The home side's Brazilian forward Edu headed against the post in the 77th-minute but two minutes later the game was effectively sealed. Guti lifted a pass over the defense and Mejia, who had only been on the field a minute, raced into the area unchallenged to head past Toni Doblas. 
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