Real Madrid beat Alaves to stretch their lead at the top

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:46 am

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu.
JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images

Real Madrid moved five points clear at the top of the Primera Division table with a 3-0 victory over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid went close to opening the scoring after 26 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo produced some good work down the left before firing a low strike at goal that was well saved by Fernando Pacheco.

Five minutes later and the hosts had broken the deadlock, with Benzema striking into the bottom corner of the net after playing a one-two with Daniel Carvajal.

Alaves had a great chance to equalise shortly after the break when Deyverson got his head to the ball from just a few yards out, only for his effort to sail over the bar.

Madrid had the ball in the back of the net for a second time in the 54th minute when Ronaldo raced onto a Benzema ball and slotted in, but the flag had already gone up for offside against the Portugal captain.

Alaves had another chance to find an equaliser a few minutes later when the ball fell to Edgar Mendez, but he could only send his strike wide from eight yards out.

Gareth Bale could have made sure of the points in the closing stages for Madrid when connecting with a Carvajal cross at the far post, but his effort hit the side netting.

But Isco did make sure of the result a few minutes later, racing onto Ronaldo's ball before driving an effort into the roof of net.

There was still time for Nacho Fernandez to add a third in the 88th minute, heading home the rebound from close range after Bale's free kick had hit the crossbar.