Cádiz CF 0-2 Real Madrid – Carlo Ancelotti’s side leave it late to overcome doughty hosts and secure La Liga win

Real Madrid beat a stubborn Cadiz side 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Nacho and Marco Asensio in their La Liga clash.

The hosts had the first real chance of the match in the 12th minute as the ball was spread out to left-back Alfosno Espino, who rifled an effort from distance which crashed off the post and back into play.

Just a few minutes later, Real Madrid had a huge chance, Asensio pounced on a rebound to fire a vicious effort on goal but goalkeeper David Gil was equal to it.

It was Real Madrid’s turn to strike the woodwork after 35 minutes. Karim Benzema could only divert his well-struck effort onto the crossbar.

The game had a really good tempo to it, with both sides playing with intensity and looking to get into attacking positions.

The second half started with the same frenetic tempo as the first and Gil was yet again on hand to make a string of saves to deny Rodrygo, Fede Valverde and Benzema. Real Madrid knitted together several brilliant attacks that on another day would certainly have resulted in goals.

Benzema struck the woodwork for the second time in the 64th minute, the French forward found space on the left-hand side of the penalty area before rattling the near post with a fiercely struck effort.

It was going to take something special to beat Gil in goal and in the 72nd minute it was defender Nacho who broke the deadlock, smashing a sublime effort from distance into the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later, Carlo Ancelotti’s side wrapped up the victory with a second goal. This time it was Asensio who bent an effort past Gil and into the same corner that Nacho found for the opener.

For Cadiz, they remain four points above the relegation zone but they won’t be put under more pressure than they were tonight and for the most part they dealt with it well. Espanyol, Osasuna and Valencia are up next for Sergio’s side as they look to secure their La Liga status for another season.

TALKING POINT – READY FOR THE BUSINESS END

We are entering the business end of the season and it seems Real Madrid are warmed up and ready. Their earlier inconsistency in La Liga means they are 10 points adrift of FC Barcelona at the top of La Liga, but they move five points clear of Atletico Madrid, have one foot in the UEFA Champions League semi-final following their 2-0 win against Chelsea, are in the Copa del Rey final thanks to their 4-0 hammering of Barcelona at Nou Camp and look set to have a really strong end to the season.

Regarding tonight’s match, Ancelotti’s side may have had to wait until the 73rd minute to break the deadlock but that says more about David Gil’s spectacular performance than Madrid because Los Blancos were superb tonight. 35 shots in total, 11 shots on target and an xG of 3.20 – on another night they could have really racked up the numbers.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MARCO ASENSIO (REAL MADRID)

Cadiz’s David Gil and Real Madrid man Rodrygo were also contenders for player of the match but Marco Asensio was sublime tonight for Los Blancos. His recent form has been nothing short of brilliant and with his contract set to expire in the summer, his intentions have always been clear, he wants to play regular football. His goal tonight was a fantastic effort to really kill the game and on another night he could have walked away with a couple of assists too. He played seven key passes, created two big chances and had three shots on target. A brilliant performance tonight and the fact new Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was in the crowd watching will certainly have done no harm his chances of future caps for his national team.

PLAYER RATINGS

Cadiz: Gil 9, Parra 6, Hernandez 7, Fali 7, Espino 7, Bongonda 6, San Emeterio 6, Alcaraz 6, Sobrino 6, Guardiola 6, Ramos 6 Subs: Mere 7, Fernandez 6, Alejo 6, Marti 6, Negredo 6

Real Madrid: Courtois 7, Nacho 8, Rudiger 7, Militao 8, Vazquez 7, Valverde 7, Tchouameni 7, Ceballos 7, Rodrygo 8, Benzema 8, Asensio 9 Subs: Camavinga 6, Modric 6, Hazard 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

12′ OFF THE POST FROM ESPINO! – Well, that would have been something! Cadiz launch their first attack, the ball comes to the left-back Alfonso Espino who rifles a shot off the post. So close to 1-0 for the hosts.

16′ A SUPER SAVE FROM GIL! – Marco Asensio is first to a rebound and fires a vicious effort from close range but David Gil is equal to it.

35′ OFF THE WOODWORK! – Incredible! Rodrygo bursts past several Cadiz players before laying the ball off to Ceballos, the Spaniard’s effort is saved by Gil, the rebound then falls to Benzema who rattles the bar!

64′ OFF THE POST! – That’s the second time Karim Benzema has struck the woodwork! On this occasion he smashed an effort from the left-hand side of the penalty area which strikes the near post.

72′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – It had to be something special to get past David Gil tonight and that was certainly special. Defender Nacho has rifled home an effort from distance into the bottom corner!

75′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Los Blancos waited 73 minutes to open the scoring and within two minutes they are 2-0 up! Marco Asensio bends a super effort into the bottom corner past Gil to put Madrid 2-0 up.

KEY STAT

Tonight was the match with the most dribbles attempted (13) and completed (8) for Rodrygo in his Real Madrid career so far.

More to follow.