MADRID, Spain -- David Beckham took just two minutes to score in his Spanish league debut Saturday, getting a goal in defending champion Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Real Betis in the season opener.
Beckham scored from close range off a low cross from Brazilian ace Ronaldo, his second goal for his new club in three days. He headed in a goal in Madrid's 3-0 Spanish Supercup win over Mallorca on Wednesday. This was Beckham's third goal in his eight games with Real Madrid.
"It's probably the quickest goal I've ever scored," Beckham said. "So it's nice to do it here and on the first day of the season. Hopefully, Ronaldo will keep doing it for me and I'll keep doing it for him."
Ronaldo netted the winning goal in the 61st minute from a move begun by Beckham. Betis had tied the score on a goal by Juanito Gutierrez in the first half.
Before a crowd of 65,000, Beckham was more involved in the flow of play than in his two previous games for Madrid in Spain. He hit the crossbar and drew applause with his swerving crosses from the right.
Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz said Beckham played in two phases.
"In the first half he was very good at helping to construct the team's moves," the coach said. "In the second half he made more sacrifices. He played more in the center of the field and helped to organize the team. He did well at this, too."
Beckham, one of the most marketable figures in sports, was acquired by Real Madrid in June from Manchester United for $41 million.
He joined a Real Madrid team that featured not only Ronaldo but France's Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Luis Figo and Spain's Raul Gonzalez. Beckham helped Manchester United win six of its eight league titles in 11 years and the European Champions Cup in 1999.
Beckham suggested on Saturday that his final days at Manchester United were not ideal.
"This is the happiest I've been at this point in time for a year and a half to two years," he said. "Now I'm glad. You have your ups and downs in life, but I'm glad to be over the worst."
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