Spanish champions Real Madrid knew they couldn’t afford to drop more points in the league and that mindset prompted the team to a straightforward 3-0 win over lowly Eibar at the Estadio Santiago Bernebeu on Sunday night.
Young Spanish international forward Marco Asensio was the star of the show as he forced an own goal out of Paulo Oliviera for the game’s opening goal before scoring the second to give the European champions a 2-0 lead at halftime. Brazilian defender Marcelo has been underfire for tax issues and he responded to those criticism with a late strike to help his side to a comprehensive victory over their lowly opponents.
City rivals Atletico Madrid also recorded a win on Sunday following their 1-0 win against Celta Vigo at Balaidos. French striker Kevin Gameiro got the only goal of the game for Diego Simeone’s men as they bounce back from their disappointing goalless draw with Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The win for Real Madrid takes them to within one point of second-placed Valencia and five point off the top spot presently occupied by their arch rivals Barcelona.
Matchday 9 Results (Sunday):
Leganes 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar
Villareal 4-0 Las Palmas
Celta Vigo 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Standings:
- Barcelona 25 points
- Valencia 21 points
- Real Madrid 20 points
- Atletico Madrid 19 points
- Leganes 17 points
- Villareal 16 points
