Real Madrid eased past a lacklustre Sporting Gijon 5-1 on Sunday evening at the Estadio Santiago Bernebau.
It was the big guns who came out to play for the Madridistas who were adamant to have another positive result under new coach Zinedine Zidane. Indeed it was a stunning display by the hosts and it took star Welshman Gareth Bale only seven minutes to open the scoring with a precise header.
Cristiano Ronaldo followed suit two minutes later with a left-footed shot into the top corner. The goal seemed to add further momentum to the Real attack with forward Karim Benzema putting away the third with a bicycle kick to give the home side a 3-0 advantage.
Sporting continued to become rattled at their lack of opportunities to go forward but it did not stop their opponents who, through the Portuguese wizard, scored their fourth after 18 minutes of play.
Benzema slotted a shot home at the near post just minutes prior to the half time whistle.
The away side managed to control a portion of the possession in the second term and managed to score a consolation goal but the result was never beyond doubt. Real’s victory only dampened by an apparent calf injury sustained by Bale late in the first half.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas – 7: Made a few necessary saves but could not stop the goal by Isma Lopez.
Daniel Carvajal – 7.5: Very eager to attack and provided width when coming forward on the wing. Assisted one of Ronaldo’s goals.
Raphael Varane – 6: Showed great strength and pace. Nearly scored in the dying minutes.
Marcelo – 5: Played his typical game down the left-wing and provided crosses into the box.
Pepe – 5: Played an excellent defensive game yet was often in poor positions.
Luka Modric – 6.5: Pulled the strings in the midfield and fed the attackers.
Toni Kroos – 8: Pressed well and pushed forward well from the midfield.
Isco – 7: Assisted Benzema’s goal but was replaced by James Rodriguez in the second term.
Gareth Bale – 8: Scored the opening goal but was substituted due to a calf injury.
Karim Benzema – 9: It was the Frenchman’s 300th match for Los Blancos and he certainly did not disappoint with two goals. However, he did also sustain an injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8: Was not very effective in the second term but scored twice in the first half.
Substitutes
James Rodriguez – 4: Did not affect the game.
Mateo Kovacic – 5: Steadied the midfield.
Jese Rodriguez – 5: A few shots on goal.
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