Reigning champions Real Madrid got back to winning ways in LaLiga after defeating Cadiz 2-1 on Thursday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 2-1 Cadiz
Date: 10 November 2022
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid were once again without striker Karim Benzema due to a muscle injury, as they made two changes after the defeat to Rayo Vallecano, with Toni Kroos returning from suspension and Lucas Vazquez recalled.
The opening exchanges were scrappy but Los Blancos had spaces to hurt Cadiz as Luka Modric came close to getting the opener on eight minutes with a pile driver from the edge of the box that flashed just wide.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges could not keep possession for long periods but Federico Valverde almost broke the deadlock shortly before the hour-mark with another strike from just outside the box that missed the far post by a whisker.
However, Madrid gained momentum, putting Cadiz under pressure and Eder Militao got the breakthrough five minutes before the interval with a free header in the box from Kroos' corner.
Cadiz had an encouraging start in the second stanza as Ruben Sobriano went through on goal from a flick by Anthony Lozano but he was denied by shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.
However, Ancelotti's men gained control of the contest as they pinned the visitors in their own half and Kroos gave Los Blancos a two-goal cushion in the last 20 minutes with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.
Cadiz opened themselves up as they pushed forward in numbers and were caught on a counter-attack with 11 minutes to go after Vinicius Junior burst through on goal and put a square pass on the plate for Luka Modric, who guided his shot just wide in front of a gaping net.
The visitors pulled a goal back three minutes later after Courtois spilled a shot by Theo Bongonda in the box and Lucas Perez pounced on the rebound with a clinical strike into the roof of the net.
Los Blancos lived dangerously as Alfonso Espino had a free header in the box that sailed over the crossbar and they desperately held on to reduce the deficit to just two points behind leaders Barcelona in second place on the log.
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