Cadiz 0-3 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham strikes again and Rodrygo hits a double as Merengues go top of La Liga

Jude Bellingham scored his 11th La Liga goal of the season as Real Madrid returned to the summit of La Liga with a 3-0 victory away to Cadiz.

All eyes will now be on second-placed Girona who are in action Monday night.

A thoroughly professional performance saw Rodrygo star as he opened the scoring for Madrid before doubling the lead in the second half.

The game was then left in no doubt when star-boy Jude Bellingham continued his impeccable goalscoring form to add a third for the 14-time European champions.

Madrid looked to assert themselves in the first half but came unstuck at times against Cadiz’s energetic pressing. Despite this, they restricted the home side to half chances and went in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half was a much more straightforward matter as Madrid controlled much of the play and were rarely threatened by Cadiz.

Rodrygo and Bellingham’s goals gave Madrid a relaxed final ten minutes to the game as they took the opportunity to provide a few academy graduates with first-team minutes.

Madrid will now be hoping Girona drop points on Monday night, while Cadiz will be looking over their shoulder as they slip closer to the relegation zone.

This win takes Los Blancos to the top of La Liga by one point. But, with second placed Girona in action against Bilbao on Monday night, Madrid’s lead may not last long. If Girona continue their incredible form, Madrid will be back in second place come Tuesday.

It begs the question how long can Girona go toe to toe with Madrid? In a weekend where Barcelona dropped more points and Atletico Madrid still lag four points behind their city rivals the question will be who can keep up with a Real Madrid side who look ever more imperious.

The Brazilian dynamo was the difference tonight, in a game which lacked many clear-cut chances. With his Brazilian compatriot unavailable a lot of attacking pressure rested on Rodrygo’s shoulders and he undoubtedly delivered. He was regularly threatening down the left flank for Madrid in a first half where they struggled for clear opportunities. While his moment of brilliance coming in from the left before unleashing an unstoppable curling strike into the top corner gave Los Blancos a half-time lead.

The skilful winger continued to threaten in the second half as Madrid took control of the game. His second goal was almost a repeat of the first as he again cut inside leaving any defender in his wake before smashing the ball into the top corner.

He was unlucky not to have a second assist too as during the second half he laid up an open goal for Joselu who, believing he was offside, opted not to shoot.

CADIZ: Ledesma 6, Zaldua 5, Chust 5, Fali 4, Hernandez 5, Pires 5, Navarro 6, Fernandez 6, Alcaraz 5, Ramos 7, Roger 6

Subs: Machis 5, Alejo 4, Gomez 4, Gil 5, Ocampo 5,

MADRID: Lunin 7, Carvajal 6, Rudiger 7, Nacho Fernandez 6, Mendy 5, Valverde 6, Kroos 7, Modric 8, Bellingham 7, Rodrygo 8, Joselu 4

Subs: Ceballos 6, Vazquez 5, G. Garcia 5, F. Garcia 5, Paz 5,

14’ – GOAL! CADIZ 0 – 1 REALMADRID (RODRYGO): The moment which broke the deadlock. Rodrygo picked up the ball on the left wing before darting inside onto his right foot and curling a perfect strike into the far top corner than not even two keepers would have saved.

64’ – GOAL! CADIZ 0 – 2 REALMADRID (RODRYGO): Rodrygo’s second of the game was much like his first. Cutting inside onto his favoured right foot he scampered across the edge of the box, leaving a trail of defenders, before firing into the top right corner.

78’ – GOAL! CADIZ 0 – 3 REAL MADRID (BELLINGHAM): The man on fire is released down the left hand side, he powers into the box before released a drilled strike across goal and into bottom right corner, taking his tally to eleven in the league this season.