Beckham scores in goal fest
England superstar David Beckham has overcome a major injury scare to score from a trademark free kick as LA Galaxy was beaten 5-3 by Hyundai A-League side Sydney FC at Telstra Stadium on Tuesday night.
The former England captain's left ankle collapsed under his body in the 28th minute and suffered a follow-up hit as Sydney midfielder Brendon Santalab slid into him after losing his footing in the greasy conditions.
Beckham received attention for around a minute before hobbling back into the fray and recovering to strike a goal from a 25m free kick just before half-time.
Sydney led 3-0 at the time through goals to Alex Brosque (2) and Ruben Zadkovich.
Beckham, who played the full 90 minutes, and Edson Buddle replied for the Galaxy before Robbie Middleby added a fourth for Sydney FC and Iain Fyfe rounded off the hosts' scoring three minutes from time.
Landon Donovan scored a consolation goal for the Galaxy at the death.
The Americans finished the game with 10 men after Kevin Harmse was sent off for deliberately stepping on Sydney rookie Adam Biddle's arm in the 77th minute.
Beckham's goal brought the biggest cheer of the night from the sell-out crowd of 80,295 - the majority of whom had paid to watch the world's best known football in action for the first time in Australia.
But it was Sydney who always looked the better side against a rusty LA Galaxy team playing out of season.
Sydney striker Alex Brosque opened the scoring after 20 minutes, slipping the ball past LA goalkeeper Joe Cannon after a lovely ball from Juninho.
Six minutes later Brosque had his double when Ufuk Talay found him in space - the striker's first shot rebounding off the right post but falling for an easy tap in.
Three minutes later the hosts went ahead 3-0 after Cannon inexplicably punched a shot from Sydney midfielder Ruben Zadkovich into his own net from what should have been a routine save.
It was up to Beckham to save the visitors from total embarrassment and he duly delivered in the 44th minute.
Positioned to the right of the goal and 25m out, the 32-year-old midfielder gave Sydney custodian Clint Bolton no chance, bending his shot around the wall and into the top left corner.
After scoring, he stood motionless with his arms raised in what will be the enduring moment of an entertaining match.
Beckham was in the thick of the action early in the second half, remonstrating with Middleby after being body checked by the feisty Sydney midfielder.
LA pulled another goal back in the 49th minute after the hosts gave away possession at the back and Buddle fired home in off the right post.
But the joy was to be shortlived, with Sydney restoring its two-goal advantage just five minutes later.
Talay's defence-splitting ball picked out Brosque who passed for Middleby to stroke the ball into an empty net for a 4-2 lead.
Beckham received a yellow card in the 64th minute after he brought Middleby down in an obvious square-up, the pair getting to their feet embracing and smiling.
Fyfe scored a simple goal in the 87th minute after replacement goalkeeper Steve Cronin fumbled at his feet, presenting an open goal.
The Galaxy saved some face a minute from time when former skipper Landon Donovan beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper to score.
Beckham lasted the entire match despite reports he was only required to play a minimum 55 minutes.