David Beckham scored on his return after a month on the bench to inspire Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback win at Real Sociedad in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The former England captain netted his third league goal of the season when he sent a 25-meter free kick skidding under goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and inside the far post to cancel out an early header from Sociedad midfielder Mikel Aranburu.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed the winner three minutes after the break when he headed in a cross from right back Miguel Torres.

The victory, coming after back-to-back defeats by Levante and Villarreal, lifted Real to third place in the table with 41 points from 22 games.

It also eased the pressure on coach Fabio Capello, who backtracked on his decision to leave out Beckham following the midfielder's announcement last month that he would be joining Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.

Sociedad remain one point off the bottom and eight from safety with all their immediate rivals yet to play this weekend.

Sevilla missed the chance to take over from Barcelona at the top when they were held to a 0-0 draw by city rivals Real Betis in Saturday's late match.

The draw keeps them in second spot, level on 43 points with Barca who host Racing Santander on Sunday.

Betis striker Robert squandered the chance to give Luis Fernandez's side the lead when he skied an 11th-minute penalty over the bar after Fernando appeared to dive in the area.

The Brazilian missed another opportunity to put his side ahead when he was put clear late on in the game, but he fired straight at Sevilla keeper Andres Palop.

Editor: Donald