Real Madrid moved to within two points of third place in LaLiga after Karim Benzema scored in a 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves.
2018/2019 La Liga
3-0
Match Report
Karim Benzema continued his scoring streak as he netted for the sixth time in four games to help Real Madrid cruise to a 3-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.
The Frenchman struck after 30 minutes of a one-sided contest at Santiago Bernabeu where Gareth Bale made his first start overcoming a calf injury but Vinicius Junior stole the show, including scoring his side's second.
It was the 18-year-old who unlocked the Alaves defence with a killer pass in the build-up to Benzema's opener, and he converted Marco Asensio's low cross to double Madrid's advantage 10 minutes from time.
Substitute Mariano Diaz added a late third as Madrid moved to within two points of second-placed Atletico - who lost 1-0 away at Real Betis earlier in the day - in the table after a fourth consecutive win in LaLiga.
Player Ratings
Match Events
16' CLOSE! Vinicius' shot saved
Vinicius drives from midway inside the Alaves half and is able to skip beyond both Pina and Laguardia before cutting inside onto his right foot and firing straight at Pacheco from the edge of the box.
30'GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Alaves (Benzema)
GOAL! Benzema opens the scoring! Vinicius plays a quick one-two with Ceballos on the left wing before the Spaniard bursts into the box and picks out Benzema who simply could not miss from a few yards out. 1-0.
50' CHANCE! Bale's shot saved
GOOD SAVE! Modric delivers a wonderful ball over the top and down the left side of the box for Bale to chase. The Welshman does brilliantly to control the ball before driving a low effort towards goal, but Pacheco is down brilliantly to his left to deny Bale.
66' Great save from Courtois
GOOD CHANCE! Burgui slides the ball down the left-hand side for Jony who has made a very good run from deep. The Spaniard controls the pass well before firing at goal from the left side of the box, but Courtois is equal to the effort. Much better from Alaves.
80'GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Alaves (Vinicius)
GOAL! Vinicius makes it two! The Brazilian started the move as he drove down the left and switched play expertly to Asensio. The Spaniard took his time before sliding the ball towards the far post where Vinicius was arriving. The attacker controlled the ball brilliantly before placing his effort into the bottom right corner. 2-0.
91'GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Alaves (M.Díaz)
GOAL! Mariano surely seals the points! Odriozola once again makes up the ground down the right-hand side and delivers a perfect ball into the box for Mariano to attack. The substitute, from the penalty spot, sends his diving header beyond Pacheco and into the top right corner. 3-0.
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Sergio Ramos, L. Modrić, Benzema, Bale, T. Courtois, Casemiro, Nacho, Álvaro Odriozola, Ceballos, Reguilón, Vinícius Júnior
Subs: Marcelo, K. Navas, Isco, M.Díaz, Marcos Llorente, Marco Asensio, Javi Sánchez
Alaves XI: Wakaso, M.García, Laguardia, Pina, Jony, Fernando Pacheco, Maripán, R.Duarte, Burgui, Calleri, C.Vigaray
Subs: J. Guidetti, X.Navarro, D.Rolán, A.Marín, Antonio Perera, Álex Blanco, Álex Domínguez