Depleted Real Madrid scraped a 1-0 home win over Real Zaragoza thanks to a late penalty from Roberto Carlos to move up to second place in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
The Brazilian fullback fired home 12 minutes from time after Robinho was adjudged to have been fouled by Zaragoza defender Leonardo Ponzio.
Minutes earlier, Robinho had wasted a chance to put Real ahead when he fluffed a controversial penalty awarded after he went down under pressure from keeper Cesar and defender Alvaro.
Real were on the ropes for much of the second half, but high-quality keeping from Iker Casillas allowed them to hang on for a vital home win.
Surprise packages Osasuna top the table with 24 points from 11 games after inflicting a first home defeat of the season on Real Sociedad with a 2-1 win at Anoeta on Saturday.
Real Madrid lie second on 21 points, one ahead of Celta Vigo who notched a 2-1 victory at home to struggling Alaves earlier on Sunday.
Champions Barcelona have a chance to reclaim second spot when they take on high-flying Getafe on the other side of the Spanish capital in Sunday's late match.
An injury-hit Real made a promising start at the Bernabeu with centre-backs Jonathan Woodgate and Sergio Ramos putting early pressure on the Zaragoza defence from two David Beckham free kicks.
UNFORTUNATE
But the unfortunate Woodgate, however, hobbled off the pitch with what appeared to be a hamstring injury after 23 minutes.
Real soon lost their momentum and although Beckham swept in a succession of dangerous crosses into the area his forwards were unable to take advantage.
Robinho was denied by a fine reflex save by former Real Madrid keeper Cesar on 25 minutes and again at the start of the second half while Raul ballooned a header over the bar, all three chances created by Beckham.
Zaragoza then seized control of the game, Argentine striker Diego Milito slamming a close-range shot against the woodwork and Real old boy Savio being denied by a superb point blank save from Casillas.
Just as Real appeared to be wilting under the pressure, however, Robinho won a penalty when he went down in the area.
Cesar saved the Brazilian's spot kick but three minutes later he earned another and fellow countryman Roberto Carlos took the ball and slammed it past his former team mate.
