Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored as Real Madrid moved within two wins of the La Liga title by beating Alaves 2-0.
Benzema slotted the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after 11 minutes after Ximo Navarro’s clumsy challenge on Ferland Mendy on the edge of the area.
Within minutes, relegation-threatened Alaves were within inches of levelling as former Real Madrid B forward Joselu crashed a header against the bar, while Lucas Perez also missed a glorious chance to equalise created by the lively Oliver Burke.
After the break, the visitors would be made to regret those missed chances, as Rodrygo’s ball through to Benzema caught their defence out, and allowed Asensio to fire in a second with the Alaves defence still absent after reacting slowly to a raised offside flag.
Initially the referee disallowed the goal, but a VAR review overruled him with Benzema clearly at least a foot onside.From then-on Real took control of the game and could have added to their lead.
Real Madrid next travel to Granada on Monday; Kick-off at 9pm.