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 [ Images ].

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.

IN SHOCK

"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 [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] and a quick-fire double from captain Raul sparked Real to their victory over Bilbao.