Real Madrid Move Five Points Clear of Barcelona, Defeat Deportivo Alavés 3-0

First Half

The first half began with Real Madrid setting the tone with the majority of the possession in the first 10 or so minutes, having the ball in the Alavés half more than the visiting team.

In the 10th minute, a seemingly harmless pass back to goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from recently reactivated center back Raphael Varane, was put out of play by Casilla as Varane fell to the turf appearing to clutch the hamstring that he had injured over a month ago.

The replacement of Varane with Carvajal, seemed to help Real going forward, with the pacey Spaniard on one flank, with always attacking full back Danilo on the opposite wing.

In the 17th minute, a great steal from Cristiano Ronaldo resulted in the first yellow card of the match, with Alavés’ Ely, who pulled the winger down just outside the area. The ensuing freekick, taken by Gareth Bale, narrowly missed the far post.

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The first goal of the match, from Benzema, came just 6 minutes after a ball fell for midfielder Isco just inside the penalty area, but the curling shot just managed to sail over the bar.

Benzema’s goal was thanks in large part to himself, as he started the give and go with Carvajal on the wing, and as Carvajal went towards the goal, drawing defenders, Benzema hung around the penalty spot, and expertly dispatched the great centering pass from Dani.

To conclude the half, a missed Ronaldo free kick, and a great attack from Ronaldo, Danilo, and Bale just barely missed the target keeping it 1-0 Real Madrid after 45 minutes.