Real Madrid beat Alaves 4-0
Madrid, Feb 25 (IANS) Real Madrid enjoyed a relatively simple 4-0 win at home to Deportivo Alaves in the La Liga.
The win on Saturday continues Madrid’s recent upturn in form and performances and gives a boost to the Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema attacking trip with Ronaldo and Bale both scoring and Benzema giving two assists and netting a late penalty, reports Xinhua news agency.
Alaves had taken 22 points from their last 11 games and despite coach Abelardo Fernandez making changes to his starting 11, perhaps with half an eye on a midweek game at home to Levante, they put up stiff resistance in the first half.
Ronaldo and Benzema had early chances for Madrid, but Alaves tried to use their pace on the break with Alfonso Pedraza a constant threat down the left.
It looked as if the visitors were going to hold on until the break, but Ronaldo’s first time shot beat Fernando Pacheco with just two minutes until half time following a lovely backheel by Benzema.
The much-maligned Frenchman also had a hand in Madrid’s second goal, teeing to Gareth Bale after Alaves lost the ball almost directly from the kick off.
Ronaldo netted his second of the game just past the hour with a low drive from close to the penalty spot after a low pass from Lucas Vazquez.
Zidane then brought Dani Ceballos into the game after apologizing to the former Betis player for only giving him 29 seconds at the end of Wednesday’s 3-1 win away to Leganes.
Benzema then scored his fourth goal of the season in the 89th minute, firing home from the penalty spot after Victor Laguardia had brought down Bale.