Real Madrid are now just two points behind leaders Barcelona at the top of La Liga, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men comfortably defeated struggling Almeria 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos came close to taking the lead on four minutes, as James Rodriguez headed wide of goal from Asier Illarramendi’s cross.
The home side continued to press and Almeria ‘keeper Ruben did well to save a Cristiano Ronaldo effort on seven minutes.
Ancelotti’s failed to make their dominance count until on the stroke half-time James finally made the breakthrough.
The Colombian produced a superb volley from the edge of the Almeria penalty area, after Angel Trujillo had failed to get much on his headed clearance.
The side from the Spanish capital doubled their lead just after the break. Toni Kroos fired in a cross from the right looking for Ronaldo, only for Almeria defender Mauro Dos Santos to divert the ball past his own keeper.
Manchester United-loanee Javier Hernandez missed a great chance to make it three on 73 minutes, failing to convert from close-range after Cristiano Ronaldo’s corner had fell to him kindly.
With six minutes left on the clock Los Blancos did make it three, as former-Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa scored his first goal in over six years from close-range after being picked out by Hernandez.
The win took Real to within two points of perennial rivals Barcelona in the race for La Liga, which looks set to go down to the wire once again this season.
Can Real Madrid win La Liga this season?
