The former England captain, who was recalled by coach Steve McClaren earlier in the day having last represented his country at the 2006 World Cup, helped create two of Madrid's goals as they defeated Deportivo La Coruna to record their ninth win in 10 matches.

Sergio Ramos lashed home Madrid's opener in the first half, and although Depor drew level through Joan Capdevila at the start of the second period, further strikes by Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy saw the home side take the spoils.

After a fairly low-key start to the match, Madrid took the lead in the 28th minute, with Beckham playing a key role.

He combined well with Roberto Carlos down the left before floating a left-footed cross into the danger zone which Van Nistelrooy deflected back to Raul on the edge of the six-yard box.

Raul's effort was prevented from going over the line by Alberto Lopo but Ramos was on hand to slam the loose ball into the back of the net for his fifth league strike of the season.

The Depor players were furious, with Van Nistelrooy looking to have handled the ball in the lead-up to the goal, but the referee waved away their protests.

That goal seemed to raise the Depor players' hackles as the visiting side picked up three yellow cards in eight minutes after Ramos' strike with some crunching challenges.

That also led to Madrid winning two free-kicks in dangerous positions near the Depor area. Beckham took both efforts, and although the first one got the Madrid crowd temporarily excited as it curled into the side-netting, the second failed to clear the defensive wall.

In between those two shots Depor had a chance of their own, and Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas showed good bravery to block Juan Rodriguez's close-range header.

It was very nearly third time lucky for Beckham at the start of the second half when he sent a free-kick crashing against the woodwork.

Standing over the dead ball on the left-hand side of the area, Beckham rolled a short pass to Roberto Carlos before following it up and curling in a superb effort which hit the inside of the far post.

That was so close to being 2-0, but instead it became 1-1 just minutes later as Depor stunned the Bernabeu with an equaliser.

The visitors had already given a couple of warnings with Casillas being called into action to keep out a Fabian Estoyanoff overhead kick and deny Cristian and Javier Arizmendi in a frantic goalmouth scramble.

But the Madrid custodian was left helpless as Julian De Guzman played a low ball into the box which Capdevila slotted home at the near post.

Depor were level for barely three minutes though before Raul put Madrid back in front.

Beckham was again involved, with his pinpoint cross finding Raul on the edge of the six-yard box and the Madrid captain glanced home a header that gave Dudu Aouate no chance.

Madrid continued to push forward looking for more goals, but they still needed to be alert at the back, with Casillas saving shots from Depor substitute Rodolfo Bodipo and Capdevila.

The home side finally got the third goal they were searching for in the 76th minute when Van Nistelrooy slotted home his 23rd league goal of the season.

A clever Robinho pass almost put Raul through inside the area but, after the Madrid captain had gone sprawling under the challenge of Fabricio Coloccini, Van Nistelrooy was on hand to tap home at the far post.

That was enough to ensure Madrid would be celebrating another victory and they are now just two games away from winning the Primera Liga title for the first time since 2003.