JOIN USMesut Ozil netted a superb double to fire Real Madrid to a 3-2 comeback win at Real Valladolid on Saturday and lift Jose Mourinho's side within two points of second-placed Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
At the Jose Zorrilla stadium, Madrid looked to be heading for another setback, after defeat at Real Betis two weeks ago, as they twice fell behind to first-half goals from Angola forward Manucho. However, Karim Benzema and Ozil levelled for the visitors before the break and their Germany midfielder then stroked a delicious left-foot free kick in off the crossbar for a 72nd-minute winner.
It was a classy performance from playmaker Ozil, who has shown similar flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency since joining from Werder Bremen in 2010. Third-placed Real, who are chasing a second straight title but have already lost three times this season, have 32 points from 15 matches.
Erratic Malaga climbed to fourth scoring a 4-0 home win over Granada in the Andalusian derby while Valencia beat Osasuna 1-0.