Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red provided a moment of real worry as
his club lost 2-3 in the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) away to Real Union.
De la Red, a European Champion last summer with Spain, passed out in the 15th
minute of the game.
His loss of consciousness brought to mind the tragic death of Sevilla
defender Antonio Puerta from heart failure in the first game of last season.
De la Red was carried off the field and taken away from the Gal Stadium in an
ambulance, where he later regained consciousness.
In the game itself, Real Madrid were beaten by a side from the third tier of
Spanish football. Former winners of the Copa del Rey,Real Union now ply their
trade in Spain's Segunda B. However, that didn't stop them from taking the lead
in the second minute thanks to Juan Dominguez.
Gonzalo Higuain levelled matters soon after, before Dominguez again put his
side ahead after 20 minutes.
The score was 2-1 until the second half, when Javier Saviola made it 2-2
after 57 minutes. It looked as if Real Union were starting to tire, but 10
minutes later Goikoetxea made it 3-2.
That result is a humiliation for Real Madrid, but given what happened to De
la Red, the squad return to Madrid, knowing that things could have been a great
deal worse.
