Goals from Illarra, Bale, Pepe and Morata earned Madrid a victory against Real Sociedad and the Whites turn their attention to the Champions League quarter-finals.
- LIGA BBVA
- MATCHDAY 32
- 05/04/2014
ANOETA
With six games remaining Real Madrid are still in the fight for the Liga. Victory in Anoeta, an important one given that only two teams had won there this season in the championship, will lift the Whites' spirits as they go into the final weeks of the competition. It wasn't easy, despite the convincing result.
The first half was very evenly matched. The Whites had possession of the ball, but there were few cracks in the solid defensive system of the home side. It was in the 45th minute that Benzema gathered the ball, cut back and struck. Bravo made a spectacular save, but Ilarra, on the penalty spot, got on the end of the rebound and put the Whites ahead against his former team.
It was an important time to score psychologically. The script would now change in the second half and Real Sociedad were forced to play on the counter-attack in front of their supporters. Three minutes in Real Madrid had a chance deal the killer blow, but hit the bar. Xabi Alonso took a free kick from out wide and Ramos, imperious in the air, headed the ball against the crossbar. It was not the only free kick that the player from Tolosa struck dangerously. His shot in the 57th minute forced a great save from Bravo.
The first half was very evenly matched. The Whites had possession of the ball, but there were few cracks in the solid defensive system of the home side. It was in the 45th minute that Benzema gathered the ball, cut back and struck. Bravo made a spectacular save, but Ilarra, on the penalty spot, got on the end of the rebound and put the Whites ahead against his former team.
It was an important time to score psychologically. The script would now change in the second half and Real Sociedad were forced to play on the counter-attack in front of their supporters. Three minutes in Real Madrid had a chance deal the killer blow, but hit the bar. Xabi Alonso took a free kick from out wide and Ramos, imperious in the air, headed the ball against the crossbar. It was not the only free kick that the player from Tolosa struck dangerously. His shot in the 57th minute forced a great save from Bravo.
XABI ALONSO RECEIVED A YELLOW CARD AND WILL MISS THE MATCH AGAINST ALMERÍA THROUGH SUSPENSION.
Real Madrid continued to dominate and enjoyed the best chances on goal. Benzema was the next player to hit the crossbar, surprising the home side's keeper with a huge left-footed shot that violently struck the bar in the 66th minute. It was the best period of the match for the visitors and sure enough Bale scored in the 67th minute. Bravo took a goal kick and the ball fell to the Welshman's feet, he didn't think twice and he shot from 30 metres out while the Chilean was returning to his goal.
Solid at the back
Most of the work was done. Now the Whites had to maintain the defensive solidity that they had shown in Anoeta to claim three more points. They did that and scored two more goals to boot. Pepe scored the third from a Xabi Alonso corner to the far post, and Ramos, with his head, offered up a sitter for the Portuguese player in the 85th minute. The fourth and final goal came from Morata in the 88th. A great assist from Di María and the academy player did not fail in the one-on-one with Bravo. It was Real Madrid's second match unbeaten.
Solid at the back
Most of the work was done. Now the Whites had to maintain the defensive solidity that they had shown in Anoeta to claim three more points. They did that and scored two more goals to boot. Pepe scored the third from a Xabi Alonso corner to the far post, and Ramos, with his head, offered up a sitter for the Portuguese player in the 85th minute. The fourth and final goal came from Morata in the 88th. A great assist from Di María and the academy player did not fail in the one-on-one with Bravo. It was Real Madrid's second match unbeaten.
