Woodgate sent off on Real debut

England [Images] defender Jonathan Woodgate made a miserable first full appearance for Real Madrid [Images] on Thursday, scoring an own goal and being sent off in the 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu.

Making his first competitive start for 17 months, Woodgate gave Bilbao the lead when he headed into his own net as he tried to clear a dangerous cross from Bilbao forward Joseba Etxeberria in the 25th minute.

The 25-year-old was lucky to stay on the pitch when he clattered into Bilbao midfielder Carlos Gurpegi before the break, escaping with a yellow card.

Woodgate was finally given his marching orders midway through the second half after being harshly booked for a foul on Etxeberria as the two challenged for the ball.

"I can't believe I got sent off and scored an own goal on my debut but that's life," Woodgate told reporters.

"I have had worse things happen to me than this and I know I will come back strong. I got sent off but I didn't think the second yellow card was justified.

"That's not the way I dreamed my debut would be. I am in shock but I have to thank the fans because of the way they responded to me.

"They waited a long time to see me play and they must not know what to think but they have tried to lift me after the own goal and then when I was walking off the pitch they clapped me. That meant a lot to me."

An injury to Ivan Helguera and Sergio Ramos's [Images] suspension opened the way for Woodgate to make his debut in the centre of the defence more than a year after joining Real from Newcastle United for close to 20 million euros.

The former Leeds United player had not started a competitive match since tearing a thigh muscle in a English Premier League game against Chelsea on April 25 last year.

Woodgate was due to make his debut for Real last October but suffered a recurrence of the injury in a training game.

He made a brief appearance in the final five minutes of a pre-season match in August and has been training with the first team since.

A goal from Brazilian striker Robinho and a quick-fire double from captain Raul sparked Real to their victory over Bilbao.

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