10-man Real settles for Mallorca tie

BEIJING, April 7 -- Real Madrid was held to a 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca in the Spanish Primera Liga on Saturday, extending its lead at the top to seven points.

The champions rode their luck in the first half but took the lead just before the break through Wesley Sneijder.

The game swung Mallorca's way after Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 65th minute and Borja Valero's stunning equalizer soon after had the visitors desperately hanging on at the end.

"The sending off changed the game. Bearing that in mind, and the stage of the season we are at, a point is a good result," Real coach Bernd Schuster said.

The leaders have 66 points with seven games left to play.

Second-placed Villarreal can close to within four points with victory at Sevilla, while Barcelona, which is third on 58, hosts UEFA Cup quarterfinalist Getafe.

Earlier, French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle scored the only goal as Recreativo Huelva won 1-0 at Osasuna.

The former Liverpool player outpaced the home defense to score in the 37th, earning Recre three valuable points that dragged it out of the relegation zone.

It climbed to 16th in the standings one point short of its host in 14th, with 37 points.

Mallorca had clearer chances in an open first half against the visitors from Madrid, having a goal harshly ruled out for a foul in the build-up and a good shout for a penalty waved away just before halftime. By then the league leaders had scored.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben dribbled into area and his low cross was pushed into the path of his compatriot Sneijder to score in the 43rd.

The visitors looked relatively comfortable until Ramos picked up his second yellow card with 25 minutes to go. It was Ramos' third red for the season

Former Real youth team player Valero grabbed the equalizer, running on to Juan Arango's deft touch to curl a shot into the top corner.

Guiza rattled the bar with the goal gaping near the end but Mallorca was unable to complete what would have been its third victory over Schuster's side since the turn of the year.

Mallorca, which is in the hunt for a place in next season's UEFA Cup, has lost only once in its last 13 league matches.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)