Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red provided a moment of real worry as his club lost 2-3 in the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) away to Real Union.

De la Red, a European Champion last summer with Spain, passed out in the 15th minute of the game.

His loss of consciousness brought to mind the tragic death of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta from heart failure in the first game of last season.

De la Red was carried off the field and taken away from the Gal Stadium in an ambulance, where he later regained consciousness.

In the game itself, Real Madrid were beaten by a side from the third tier of Spanish football. Former winners of the Copa del Rey, Real Union now ply their trade in Spain's Segunda B. However, that didn't stop them from taking the lead in the second minute thanks to Juan Dominguez.

Gonzalo Higuain levelled matters soon after, before Dominguez again put his side ahead after 20 minutes.

The score was 2-1 until the second half, when Javier Saviola made it 2-2 after 57 minutes. It looked as if Real Union were starting to tire, but 10 minutes later Goikoetxea made it 3-2.

That result is a humiliation for Real Madrid, but given what happened to De la Red, the squad return to Madrid, knowing that things could have been a great deal worse.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2008)