MADRID — Real Madrid beat Cadiz 2-1 in LaLiga on Thursday to close the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points going into the World Cup break.
Eder Militao put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute at the Bernabeu, heading Toni Kroos‘ delivery into the bottom corner. Kroos doubled the home side’s lead in the second half with a spectacular finish, volleying in from outside the box, before Lucas Perez pulled a late goal back for the visitors.
JUMP TO: Player ratings | Best/worst performers | Highlights and notable moments | Post-match quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures
Rapid reaction
1. Madrid bounce back after two disappointments
Real Madrid‘s last two LaLiga games — a 1-1 draw with Girona and Monday’s 3-2 loss at Rayo Vallecano — had left them with no more margin for error.
A win against relegation-threatened Cadiz was a must to stay in touch with Barcelona at the top and end this first stage of the season in a positive mood. Anything less, and it would feel like a long seven-week break for the World Cup until domestic football returns at the end of December.
Los Blancos got that win, with Militao’s opener rewarding a dominant first-half display and Kroos’ goal adding to the sense of security before Perez’s late strike made for some nervy final minutes.
There’s no question that Madrid aren’t looking the same, clinical force they did earlier in the season, but that’s understandable given the relentless schedule of the last six weeks. Now they can look to reset, recover and come back after Christmas to chase down Barca.
