Real Madrid passed the Alavés test at the Santiago Bernabéu extend the lead at the top of the league table after producing a match-winning second-half display, with Sevilla on the other hand not earning more than one point vs Espanyol. It was a difficult first half with Madrid trying to produce but with a general rhythm below average for both teams. The team was not moving fast enough and it needed something more to go further than the draw.
As a summary, it was the attacking line pulled of some great plays to bring the victory in Santiago Bernabeu. In the 63rd minute, Marco Asensio fired in an unstoppable left-footed strike from outside the area, as he had previously done against Granada. It was this essential individual trial which unblocked the barrier and paved the way for a more open game. The hosts doubled their lead on 80’ when Vini Jr. finished off a really fine team move, which included combinations from Karim Benzema and Asensio. The Frenchman scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time to round off the scoring.
Madrid dominated the early stages of play, but Alavés defended resolutely in the first half and barely gave the Whites a sniff at goal. The hosts’ only two chances fell to Fede Valverde and Luka Modrić on 41’ and 42’, respectively. The visitors had previously gone close when Jason fired over when well placed inside the box in the 26th minute and when Rioja found himself one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, the Madrid shot-stopper was on hand to deny the forward.
Real Madrid were closing in on the Alavés goal and could have made the breakthrough on 59’, but Casemiro contrived to sent his effort from inside the box over the bar. The Basques produced a response on 61’, but Pere Pons failed to find the target after having rounded Courtois. Just two minutes later, the goal of the game duly materialised. Asensio was picked out by a teammate just outside the box and set himself, before conjuring up a sweet left-footed strike that flew past the helpless Pacheco.
The White team now had a deserved reward and weren’t about to settle on the advantage. The madridistas came close to doubling their money on 75’, when Dani Carvajal’s thumping effort caused Pacheco serious problems. Just two minutes later, the Whites came the width of the upright away from extending their lead following some fine link-up play between Vini Jr. and Benzema that culminated in the Frenchman’s effort crashing against the woodwork.
With 80 minutes gone, the madrisitas struck their second of the night and a fine goal it was too. Benzema found Asensio with a disguised back-heel and he returned the ball to the striker, who picked out Vinicius Jr., whose first-time finish flew into the net. In injury time, Lejeune upended Rodrygo inside the box and Benzema stepped up to convert the spot-kick. That third goal capped off the win for Real Madrid, who are now riding a 12-game unbeaten streak at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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