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Real Madrid stays two points behind FC Barcelona after they got their 3-0 win against Eibar on Saturday afternoon.
Barcelona tied against Sevilla FC on Saturday night, which allowed Real Madrid to get closer to first place. After being four points behind for three weeks, they were able to close that gap to two points and hope for Barcelona to fall even more to take first place.
Many players for Real Madrid were on rest as they have a big match coming up on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid for the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals. Real Madrid has fallen five times to their city rivals this season and hope the same does not happen on Tuesday night. Gareth Bale was not on the starting XI due to a leg injury while James Rodriguez sat out due to a yellow card he received last weekend against Levante. Karim Benzema was also on the bench as Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez got his first start since October of last year.
Illaramendi, Isco, Jese Rodriguez and goalkeeper Keylor Navas also received a spot in the Starting XI, while Iker Casillas got to see the match from the bench. Cristiano Ronaldo got his 38th goal of the season while Chicharito was able to score his fourth goal and the first goal since October 29th. Ronaldo ended his year long free-kick drought as his goal came from a free-kick in the first half. Ronaldo was able to curl the ball over the wall and past Xabi Irureta as it looked as if it took a deflection but instead took a bounce that threw Irureta off and allowed the ball to go into the net to make it 1-0.
Chicharito made it 2-0 on the 31st minute as he was able to get his fourth goal from six shots this season. A cross from defender Alvaro Arbeloa connected with Chicharito and the Mexican striker was able to head it past Irureta. Chicharito took advantage of his first start since October and proved to Carlo Ancoletti that he still wanted time to prove himself.
Jese made it 3-0 on the 83rd minute as he was able to take the ball from midfield and go against Txema Añibarro, who slipped inside the box and allowed an open shot. Jese slammed it past Irureta and into the bottom left of the goal.
Real Madrid ended the match with a score of 3-0 and look to build off of this victory. The regular starting XI should also be back on the pitch on Tuesday and hope to finally finish their losing drought against Atletico. Real Madrid will then face Malaga on Saturday while Eibar faces Celta de Vigo on Sunday.
The man of the match goes out to Chicharito, who was able to come onto the pitch as a starter and prove himself to Ancoletti by scoring his fourth goal of the season.
Photo by: Andres Kudacki/Associated Press
