Kalu Uche broke down the right and his low cross was met by the unmarked Albert Crusat at the far post.

CNN: Real Madrid win cuts Barcelona's lead

However, Fernando Soriano leveled with a deflected shot in the 58th minute and Kalu Uche put lowly Almeria head just three minutes later as Real failed to clear a corner.

CNN: Ronaldo the hero despite sending-off

The Super Eagles should have broken the deadlock on 14 minutes when Kalu Uche set up Yakubu up to beat the offside trap but the Everton forward blasted wide with only Rachad Chitou at his mercy.

BBC: Nigeria 1-0 Benin