With a victory over Alaves, Barcelona could briefly take top spot and with them expected to continually pressurize their Clasico rivals Real will be expected to deliver.
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MF Isco, 9 – A fantastic second-half display from the midfielder, who was active in defensive duties, incisive going forward and capped his evening with an excellent reading of the situation in the opposition area to score an opportunistic goal.
Madrid dominated possession and made it count when Isco put them back ahead on the hour before Lucas Vazquez sealed the game in added time. Subs: Clerc 5, Loe 5, Garcia 5.
Yet, Los Blancos would make their quality count when Isco struck the second in the 62nd minute after he picked up a loose ball in the box and converted confidently into the far corner past Sirigu. He had tallied seven goals in 16 matches for Madrid this campaign. The stretcher is out for Danilo after a challenge on the Brazilian full back by Garcia.
Jesus Vallejo, who is now 20, and plying his trade on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from Real Madrid, could be the long-term partner to Mere at the heart of Real Madrid defence to form an all-Spanish defensive pairing.
Real Madrid have many young players in the squad and several young talents on loan in European teams.
Osasuna have announced that defender Tano Bonnin broke the lower part of his right leg against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Real Betis banked another point in mid-table in their early kick-off stalemate against Valencia. Vazquez is played in and finds the net with a cheeky chip over the Osasuna goalkeeper.
With Ireland four points clear of their Celtic cousins and two clear of Serbia, Martin O’Neill’s side will hope to extend their lead and reach their first World Cup finals since 2002.
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So, the first half ended in a tie after Cristiano Ronaldo’s smooth go-ahead goal was equalled by Sergio Leon in the 33rd minute.
