Recreativo Huelva 2 Read Madrid 3: Beckham masterclass as Real move closer to title

David Beckham delivered a passing masterclass last night to keep Real Madrid on course for the Spanish league title and remind Steve McClaren what he has at his disposal should he choose to recall the former England captain.

Real Madrid are now just three games away from winning the Spanish league, and Beckham could be just one game from a dramatic international comeback.

He plays next weekend as Real entertain Deportivo but the Spanish season stops for internationals leaving him free to join up with England should McClaren decide to pick him for the friendly with Brazil on 1 June and the Euro 2008 qualifier five days later.

On this showing the 32-year-old appears to still have the legs and perfect delivery to add to his 94 caps. He gave a vintage first-half display of passes and crosses that should have put this game beyond doubt.

Beckham delivered the cross for Real's opener on nine minutes when, after exchanging passes with full-back Miguel Torres, he whipped in a centre from the right which Robinho headed past Laquait to put Madrid in front.

That should have opened the floodgates as Beckham pelted the Recreativo box with crosses from the right. On 17 minutes he found Gago on the edge of the six-yard box but the Argentine midfielder headed wide.

Beckham then set the same player up again on 25 minutes but this time the Argentine barely made contact allowing the ball to flash across the face of goal.

Raul and Robinho also missed chances from Beckham passes as Real continued to dominate but Real could not extend their lead.

Ruud van Nistelrooy converted his 22nd league goal of the season when he scored from the spot after Robinho had been brought down but Recreativo made a dramatic late comeback.

Substitute striker Uche was fouled by Gago and Jesus Vazquez made it 2-1 from the spot. Then Uche swept in a corner to level with just five minutes left.

Beckham was booked harshly on the hour for tangling with Poli but he kept driving the visitors forward and when Gago set up Roberto Carlos to score the last-gasp winner, he joined his team-mates in delirious celebrations.

Beckham said: "We showed a lot of strength to win it in the end and that is down to the great momentum we have in the squad.

"We all stick together and we play for each other and we never give up. We made it difficult for ourselves [but] it's an important win and that's what we have to do now in the last three games."

Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas, Miguel Torres, Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Gago, Diarra, Robinho (Guti, 77) Raul (Higuain, 88) Van Nistelrooy.

Recreativo (4-4-2): Laquait, Merino, Pablo Amo, Beto, Poli, Cazorla, Jesús Vazquez, Barba, Juanma (Aitor, 58) Rosu (Uche, 45) Pongolle.