Real Madrid welcomed Eibar to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that a victory would move them above Atletico Madrid and into second position in La Liga.
Los Blancos dominated proceedings in the first period and entered the interval with a four-goal lead courtesy of strikes from James Rodriguez, Lucas Vasquez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez.
Eibar improved in the second 45 minutes and had a number of opportunities to register their first La Liga goal against the Madrid giants, but it remained 4-0 as Real Madrid bounced back from their Champions League disappointment last week.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Eibar. Victory for the hosts this afternoon would move them above Atletico Madrid into second and indeed to within four points of the leaders Barcelona. Eibar appear safe from the drop this term, but they are currently on a rotten run of form in the league. Here's to an entertaining fixture!
These two teams have only ever met on three previous occasions and all three ended in Real Madrid wins. The Madrid giants recorded a 4-0 victory in their first clash in November 2014, before winning 3-0 in the reverse match in the capital last term. Los Blancos also beat Eibar 2-0 earlier this season, meaning that Eibar are still searching for their first goal against Real Madrid.
Incredibly, Real Madrid have actually won their last 18 home league games against Basque opposition, which is their best ever run. The omens are not exactly great for Eibar this afternoon and the visitors will enter this match on the back of a six-game winless run away from home in the league.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Has Zinedine Zidane rung the changes from the defeat to Wolfsburg on Wednesday? Let's find out...
TEAMS:
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Nacho, Pepe, Arbeloa; Casemiro, Isco, James; Lucas, Ronaldo, Jese
EIBAR: To follow.
Only Pepe, Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo keep their places in the Real Madrid XI from the team that lost to Wolfsburg in the Champions League last week, with Keylor Navas and Luka Modric dropping out of the squad altogether. Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, Marcelo and Danilo have all dropped to the bench, while Karim Benzema misses out with a knee problem and skipper Sergio Ramos serves a one-game suspension. There are starts in the final third for Lucas Vasquez and Jese Rodriguez, while Kiko Casilla, Alvaro Arbeloa, Isco and James Rodriguez also come into Zinedine Zidane's starting team at the Bernabeu.
Still waiting on the team news for Eibar, but let's kick on anyway and discuss Real Madrid, who have had an extremely mixed last seven days. They won at Barcelona in the league last weekend, but lost 2-0 at Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
When Gerard Pique headed Barcelona ahead in El Clasico last weekend, it did appear that Real Madrid were going to suffer at the hands of their dominant rivals once again this season. Karim Benzema levelled, however, before Cristiano Ronaldo struck five minutes from time to ensure that Real Madrid collected all the points in the sweetest of fashions. The victory also ended Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run in all competitions and boosted Real Madrid's slim title hopes.
© AFP
As it stands, Los Blancos sit third in La Liga – seven points off the leaders Barcelona and just one point behind second-place Atletico Madrid. They have won all five of their league matches since losing 1-0 to Atletico at the end of February and have made things very interesting entering the final seven matches. That said, they will enter this match off the back of a poor European performance.
Zidane's side were brought crashing down to earth during the week when they lost 2-0 at Wolfsburg in the Champions League. That result has left the Madrid giants with a mountain to climb in the second leg of their quarter-final and the performance was arguably their poorest under Zidane.
© AFP
Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Wolfsburg defeat, Real Madrid will still fancy their chances of turning the quarter-final tie around on home soil and they will be confident of recording their 22nd league win of the season here. They are the leading scorers in Spain's top flight this term on 89 goals and have scored 11 times in their last two league games at the Bernabeu.
TEAMS:
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Nacho, Pepe, Arbeloa; Casemiro, Isco, James; Lucas, Ronaldo, Jese
EIBAR: Riesgo; Capa, Ramis, Pantic, Luna; Adrian, Escalante, Garcia; Keko, Enrich, Jota
Finally we have some team news from Eibar! Centre-back Mauro dos Santos misses out through suspension this afternoon, which means a start for Ivan Ramis alongside Aleksandar Pantic at the back. Borja Baston, meanwhile, who has struck 17 La Liga goals this season, is left on the bench, with Sergi Enrich selected at centre-forward. Keko and Jota also start in the final third for the Basque side.
© Getty Images
It would be fair to say that Real Madrid have a favourable La Liga fixture list between now and the end of the season. Next weekend, they will travel to struggling Getafe, before welcoming Villarreal on April 20. Trips to Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad will then arrive before the end of the month, before they host Valencia and travel to Deportivo La Coruna in their last two league games this term.
As for Eibar, a total of 38 points from 31 matches has left them in ninth position in the table. They have not actually won in the league since beating basement side Levante on February 14, but are still 10 points clear of the relegation zone and it does appear that they will stumble their way to safety.
Two of Eibar's last three league matches have finished 1-1, but they will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal last weekend. They famously finished 18th in La Liga last season before being reinstated due to Elche's financial problems, but they have competed well this season – recording 10 wins, which is the same number as established top-flight teams Malaga and Real Sociedad.
© Getty Images
Goals have not really been a problem for Eibar this season, having found the back of the net on 43 occasions in their 31 matches. They have conceded 44 times, however, which is the second-worst record in the top 12. The Basque club have already faced Barcelona and Atletico twice this season, however, and like Real Madrid, have a decent run between now and the end of the campaign.
PREDICTION! I am finding it very difficult to look past Real Madrid this afternoon. It is a much-changed XI, but I expect them to have far too much quality for Eibar in the Spanish capital. Ronaldo will hope to add to his 29 league goals for the season and I am predicting that he will in a 4-0 success.
Just a reminder of how a much-changed Real Madrid line up this afternoon...
Here's our starting line-up for today's match against Éibar. 📝#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ndlDkkt5Bm — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 9, 2016
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It is the away side that get the first period underway here...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, but they have been a little sloppy at the back with a couple of short passes thus far.
BOOKING! Real Madrid have a free kick just and I mean just outside the Eibar box and Garcia (Eibar) picks up a yellow card for bringing Jese to the deck. Was so close to being a spot kick!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Eibar (James)
What a wonderful goal that is! Ronaldo leaves the free kick to James, who curls a beautiful effort into the bottom corner. The Eibar goalkeeper stood no chance and Real Madrid lead here!
Eibar just need to be careful here as Real Madrid continue to flood players forward. The visitors manage to break away and Luna delivers a dangerous cross towards Enrich, but Pepe is on hand to make the clearance and the home side launch a break of their own. Brilliant tempo to this game!
We are only 10 minutes into this match, but you sense that another goal for Real Madrid in the next few minutes would kill off the game as a contest, which is a shame for the neutral! That said, Eibar are not afraid to commit players forward at the moment as Jota and Keko continue to supper Enrich.
Keko decides to have a go for the visitors after finding some space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was never causing Casilla any problems. Nice to see him having a pop there though!
Good grief, Ronaldo has just attempted an over-head kick inside the Eibar box, but the attacker completely misses the ball. Might well have hurt himself there - my back hurts watching it!
Just a reminder that as it stands, Real Madrid will move above Atletico into second position in the table. A title challenge for Los Blancos is still very unlikely in the final weeks, but they are at least putting some pressure on Barcelona, who will travel to Real Sociedad in La Liga later tonight.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar (Lucas Vasquez)
It is 2-0 and that might well be game over. Ronaldo does brilliantly to out-muscle Pantic just inside the Eibar box before setting up Lucas, who scoops the ball home from close range! Two-zero!
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar (Ronaldo)
It is three for Real Madrid as Jese races away from the Eibar defence before pulling the ball across to Ronaldo, who steadies before finding out the back of the net. Now that is game over!
You sense that this result could be anything that Real Madrid want it to be. It is a shame that the points have been secured so early, but Los Blancos will not see it that way! Nacho has a problem for the home side, however, following a challenge with Enrich. He looks in some pain here...
... Nacho is still down receiving some treatment as play continues.
The magic sponge works and Nacho is back on the field. Eibar continue to press players forward, but they are struggling for that final pass as Dani Garcia concedes possession once again.
I suspect that we will see both Kovacic and Borja Mayoral at some point this afternoon, with Zidane perhaps already thinking about the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Wolfsburg next week. Try telling Ronaldo he is coming off though - the attacker senses a lot of goals here!
I thought he was finished though...
Ronaldo scores his 30th La Liga goal of the season - 6th successive season he's scored 30+ League goals for Real Madrid. — Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 9, 2016
Eibar continue to play a high line at the Bernabeu, which is a real surprise. Ronaldo, Jese and Vasquez all have the pace to run in behind and breakaways have actually contributed to all three of the home side's goals this afternoon. I would be astounded if Real Madrid had finished here.
It is decent work from Keko as the Eibar attacker faces up to Arbeloa before winning a corner from the former Spanish international. The resulting set piece, however, is headed clear by Pepe.
Ronaldo races away once again and has the chance to pick out Jese inside the Eibar box, but the Portuguese just takes too long and Pantic is back to make the challenge. Could have been 4-0.
Eibar are having some joy in the wide positions when their two full-backs press forward, but that is leaving so much space down the other end and Real Madrid continue to counter-attack here.
Nasty one from Ramis as the Eibar defender catches Vasquez with a late challenge. Vasquez actually rises to his feet first though, leaving Ramis to recover on the deck following a heavy fall.
James bends the resulting free kick just over Eibar's crossbar here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Eibar (Jese)
Real Madrid have their fourth of the afternoon in the 39th minute as Ronaldo races away down the left before picking out Jese, who cannot miss from close range. It is just far too easy here!
SAVE! Excellent goalkeeping from Casilla as the Real Madrid stopper keeps out a close-range header from Pantic. Brilliant from the number two there!
Eibar continue to commit players in the final third, which is nice to see, but they are just so open down the other end and Real Madrid look capable of scoring each time they break forward here.
The referee should do the humane thing and blow for full-time at half-time here.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 4-0 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 4-0 courtesy of goals from James, Vasquez, Ronaldo and Jese. In truth, it has been an absolute walk in the park for the home team, who as it stands, are moving above Atletico into second spot in the table.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have had seven attempts - five of which were on target. Eibar, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their three attempts. Just the one booking to report - Eibar skipper Dani Garcia in the third minute of action.
BENCH WATCH! With the points now sewn up, Zidane might well look to give minutes to the likes of Kovacic and Mayoral in the second 45 minutes here, while Bale might also be given a run-out ahead of the Wolfsburg clash next week. Eibar, meanwhile, have their leading scorer Borja Baston on the bench, in addition to Saul Berjon and Inui, who are all capable of making a difference.
MATCH PIC!
© AFP
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will Real Madrid pour more misery on Eibar? Let's find out shall we! The hosts resume the action here...
... EIBAR SUBS! Double change for Eibar at the break as Baston and Junca replace Jota and Adrian. No changes from Zidane, however, which is not a surprise at this stage.
SAVES! Again it is a smart save from Casilla as the Real Madrid stopper gets down to keep out a low strike from Baston. Real Madrid break straight down the other end and Ronaldo meets a cross from Isco, but Riesgo makes an even better save from Casilla! End-to-end action!
CHANCE! Again Eibar come close as Keko's low cross is flicked towards Enrich, but the striker just cannot make contact at the vital moment! It is like a basketball game at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo whistles a long-range strike wide of the Eibar post.
CHANCE! Jese delivers a wonderful low cross into the Eibar box and Vasquez comes onto the ball in space, but the attacker mis-kicks it and Eibar manage to survive what should have been 5-0!
REAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Casemiro for the home side.
CLOSE! Junca just misses the post for Eibar as the visitors cause Real Madrid a problem once again. There is no question that the Basque side deserve a goal this afternoon!
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu and it must be said that Eibar have competed much better in the early stages of the second period. They are obviously still going to lose this match, but if they can keep up this level of performance, they will save some face here.
Eibar continue to cause problems in the final third and Enrich looks to feed a low cross into Keko from a wide positions, but Pepe is across to clear for a corner. Still 4-0 Real Madrid in the capital.
Junca, Keko, Enrich and Baston are almost playing as a front four for Eibar at the moment, which is forcing Real Madrid to drop Kovacic and Isco in the middle of the park. Zidane is actually going to make a second change here as Danilo receives his final instructions from the Frenchman.
BOOKING! Escalante (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Isco.
REAL MADRID SUB! Danilo replaces Carvajal.
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid still lead 4-0. In truth, the home side have really dropped their level run this second period, which is not too much of a surprise.
Eibar deserve a goal for their troubles this afternoon and I would be surprised if this finished 4-0 as the visitors continue to commit players in the final third. It is just so incredibly open here.
BOOKING! Ramis (Eibar) is booked for dissent.
Both managers still have one substitute left in this match and it would not be a surprise to see Mayoral for Real Madrid in the final 15 minutes or so. Eibar continue to look dangerous as Keko takes up dangerous positions on the right, but their final pass is lacking at the moment.
EIBAR SUB! Keko is replaced by Hajrovic for the visitors.
Eibar have been the better team in this second period, but the damage was done in the opening 19 minutes, when they fell 3-0 behind. It would have been very interesting if it was 0-0 at the break.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid to score a fifth as Lucas delivers a wonderful cross into Ronaldo, but the attacker bundles his effort wide of the post from close range!
REAL MADRID SUB! Mayoral replaces Jese in Real Madrid's final change.
Jese's knee is being iced on the sidelines, which might well be a concern ahead of the Wolfsburg match next week. If Benzema does not make it, Jese would be the favourite to start alongside Bale and Ronaldo in the final third of the field. Still 4-0 with 79 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
CROSSBAR! Golden chance for Eibar to register as Baston sees the goal gaping, but somehow the striker puts his close-range header against the crossbar! It is some miss!
The game is very stretched at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Eibar are desperate to score their first ever La Liga goal against Real Madrid!
I am so surprised that Baston did not start for Eibar this afternoon, having netted 17 league goals for the Basque club this season. It is the visitors that continue to force the issue late on here.
BOOKING! Danilo (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
James goes down inside the Eibar box under pressure from Junca, but the referee is not interested. It would have been very soft for me. Still 4-0 with 86 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
Danilo fires wide of the post after trying his luck from distance.
Quite a few of the home supporters have already left the stadium as we approach the final moments of this La Liga contest. In truth, Real Madrid have been disappointing in the second period.
Danilo breaks through on goal for the home side, but the Brazilian cannot beat Riesgo to the ball and Eibar survive conceding a fifth goal. I should not imagine that there will be too much added time.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo hammers one into the stands for the home side.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 4-0 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid running out 4-0 winners over Eibar to move into second position in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for another afternoon of action in Spain's top flight - until next time!
