Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were all on the scoresheet as Real Madrid recorded a 4-0 win over Alaves in Saturday afternoon's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos have now been victorious in each of their last four league matches - closing the gap on second-placed Atletico Madrid to just four points in the process.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.16pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the Spanish champions Real Madrid welcome Alaves. Both teams will enter this match off the back of three straight victories, which should bring an entertaining clash at the Bernabeu. Stay tuned!
2.19pmReal Madrid have won each of the last eight league meetings between the two teams – including a 2-1 victory at Alaves earlier this season. Los Blancos also recorded a 3-0 success at the Bernabeu last term, with their only defeat to Alaves coming at the Bernabeu in April 2000. It is a big ask for the visitors, but Alaves will enter the match full of confidence following three straight wins.
2.22pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Bernabeu. Alaves have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in action on Wednesday afternoon – recording a 3-1 victory at Leganes. Any changes? Let's have a look at the XIs...
2.25pmTEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Theo; Casemiro, Kovacic; Lucas, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema
ALAVES: Pacheco; Alexis, Laguardia, Ely, Duarte; Perez, Garcia, Torres, Alfonso; Sobrino, Guidetti
2.28pmReal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made four changes to the team that started Wednesday's 3-1 win over Leganes, with Keylor Navas, Nacho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale all returning. Sergio Ramos is suspended, while Marco Asensio, Luka Modric, Marcelo and Toni Kroos are all injured. It will be very interesting to see how Real Madrid line up as Karim Benzema also starts.
2.32pm
📸🚶♂️🎥 #RMLiga
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 24, 2018
¡Así fue la entrada de nuestros jugadores al estadio! pic.twitter.com/t7mLVdGgmh
2.35pmAs for Alaves, head coach Abelardo has shuffled his back following the 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna last time out. Alexis returns to the back four, while Hernan Perez features in the middle of the park. John Guidetti keeps his spot in the final third, but he has a new partner as Ruben Sobrino comes in for Munir El-Haddadi. Alfonso Pedraza is preferred to Ibai Gomez in a wide position.
2.38pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Zinedine Zidane's side will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 win at Leganes, which was their game in hand following their involvement in the 2017 Club World Cup.
2.42pmThe victory over Leganes moved Real Madrid above Valencia into third spot in the table, and another win for Los Blancos here would see them move to within four points of second-placed Atletico Madrid. League leaders Barcelona are still 14 points clear of Real Madrid as things stand, but there is no question that Zidane's side will fancy their chances of chasing down Atletico.
2.45pm
👀👣👕 Join us in our dressing room at the Bernabéu!#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/yljayoUWas
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2018
2.48pmReal Madrid are actually unbeaten in all competitions since losing 2-1 at home to Leganes in the Copa del Rey towards the end of last month. Since then, they have won five of their six matches in all competitions, and have actually scored 13 times in their last three league wins. It has been a disappointing league season, but the Spanish champions are currently in good form.
2.52pmIn terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will travel to Espanyol in the league on Tuesday night, before welcoming Getafe next weekend. Zidane's side will then visit Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie – holding a 3-1 advantage from the first clash in Madrid.
2.55pmDespite Real Madrid's strong recent form, Zidane's side have dropped points in five of their 12 home league games this season. Indeed, they only have the sixth-best home La Liga record at this stage of the campaign, with Barcelona, Atletico, Valencia, Getafe and Sevilla all collecting more home points this term. The atmosphere is building at the Bernabeu as we approach kickoff!
2.58pm
💪🔥 Feel the burn!#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/4LDfjYVZKd
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2018
3.02pmAs for Alaves, the Basque outfit are currently 15th in the table on 28 points. They are now 10 points clear of the relegation zone, and much of that is down to their recent impressive form. Indeed, Alaves have won each of their last three in the league – beating Celta Vigo 2-1 at the start of the month before recording a 2-1 victory at Villarreal and 1-0 home win over Deportivo La Coruna.
3.05pmAlaves have not actually lost in the league since a narrow 2-1 defeat at Barcelona towards the end of last month, and they have managed three away wins in the league this term. Real Madrid are the favourites, but Alaves will more than fancy their chances of causing some problems in this match.
3.08pmNow Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino led Alaves to a ninth-placed finish in La Liga last season, in addition to a spot in the Copa del Rey final. It was always going to be difficult for Abelardo to match those heights, but avoiding relegation would be seen as a decent campaign.
3.12pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Madrid. Can Alaves upset the Spanish champions this afternoon? Stay tuned to find out what occurs!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon, and the Real Madrid supporters will be expecting a strong performance. Alaves, however, have been in brilliant form in recent weeks, and certainly have the players to cause the home side problems here.
4 minAs expected, Real Madrid have had most of the ball in the opening four minutes, but Alaves have had a couple of chances to break forward. It does appear that Real Madrid are in a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon, with Ronaldo joining Benzema in the final third. It is a very attacking XI that is for sure.
5 minBOOKING! Perez (Alaves) is booked for a poor challenge on Theo Hernandez.
7 minReal Madrid are passing and probing here, but no chances to report in the first seven minutes. Alaves are leaving Guidetti and Sobrino up the field, which is creating an open game of football.
9 minHalf-chance for the home side as Bale meets a cross from Carvajal, but it was comfortable for the Alaves goalkeeper. Alfonso is also now back on the field following that heavy challenge from Carvajal in the early moments, which actually saw the number 17 fly into the advertising boards.
10 minCarvajal is now off the field changing his boots. It is all happening.
10 minLucas finds Ronaldo inside the Alaves box, but the attacker's effort is deflected wide.
11 minPerez is now on the deck for Alaves, and the midfielder looks in some pain.
13 minThe stretcher was called for Perez, but the midfielder was able to walk off the field, and it does appear that he will be able to play on. Very stop-start opening 13 minutes at the Bernabeu.
15 minReal Madrid are finding it difficult to pass their way through Alaves at the moment.
17 minHalf-chance for the home side as Ronaldo drives into the Alaves box before having a go, but his effort was straight into the arms of Pacheco. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
18 minCHANCE! Super chance for the home side to take the lead as a fast counter ends with Bale feeding Benzema, but the Frenchman slips before firing wide. Very poor effort!
20 minBOOKING! Sobrino (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Carvajal.
22 minReal Madrid are having a lot of the ball, but they are struggling to carve out clear chances as Alaves continue to defend well. Benzema's mis-hit is the closest that the home side have come here.
24 minBenzema fails to force a Ronaldo cross over the line from close range, but the offside flag had been raised. Nevertheless, it was another poor moment for Benzema, who is really struggling once again.
26 minInventive effort from Bale as the Welshman produces a bicycle kick from inside the box, but his effort was always dropping wide of the post. Real Madrid are now creating good chances here.
28 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Alaves will be pretty pleased with what has occurred in the opening 28 minutes of action. Real Madrid have had a lot of the ball, but the visitors have defended well. Sobrino has just had the chance to break, meanwhile, but Nacho was across.
30 minRonaldo fires over the Alaves crossbar from a wide angle as Real Madrid threaten once again. Alaves attempt to break down the other end with Sobrino, but this time Varane makes the clearance.
31 minCHANCE! Good chance for the away side as Alfonso combines with Garcia before having a go from the edge of the box, but his effort rises over the Real Madrid crossbar.
33 minHalf-chance for Guidetti this time following a mistake from Theo Hernandez, but the Alaves forward fires straight at Navas. Chances at either end as the first period approaches its latter stages here.
35 minRonaldo is still limping around following a heavy challenge from Duarte a couple of minutes ago. Real Madrid have a half-chance through Lucas, but his low effort is straight at Pacheco.
37 minThe foul count continues to rise here as Duarte brings Lucas to the ground in a wide area.
39 minSAVE! Navas has to get down to keep out a strike from Alfonso as Alaves continue to cause problems on the counter-attack. The away side are enjoying themselves here.
41 minReal Madrid are struggling to get out of their own half as the pressure continues from Alaves.
43 minHalf-chance for the home side this time as Casemiro works some space outside the box, but his effort was always swinging wide of the post. Still goalless as the half-time break draws closer here.
44 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Alaves (Ronaldo)
45 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the final minute of the first period as Ronaldo spins inside the box before firing a powerful effort into the bottom corner. Benzema managed to poke the ball to the Portuguese, and Pacheco did not have time to react. Big moment for the hosts to score here.
45 min+1SAVE! Navas has to be alert to keep out a strike from Alexis!
45 min+2Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds Benzema, but the striker curls wide of the far post.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Alaves
4.05pmThe referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant Ronaldo goal in the final stages of the half. Alaves have had their moments, but were unable to make the breakthrough before Ronaldo sent the hosts ahead. It has been an entertaining game.
4.10pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 66%, while they managed 12 attempts - three of which were on target. Alaves, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their four attempts in the first 45 minutes. Two yellow cards to report - Perez and Sobrino for the away side.
4.15pmBENCH WATCH! Burgui, Ibai, Medran and Pina are among those on the Alaves bench this afternoon, and it would not be a surprise to see at least two of those in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Isco, Mayoral and Ceballos on their bench at the Bernabeu.
46 minRESTART! Alaves resume the action here...
46 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
46 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Alaves (Bale)
47 minOh my word! Real Madrid have their second less than one minute into the second period as Benzema races away before feeding Bale, who slots the ball into the bottom corner of the net!
49 minAlaves would have wanted to keep things tight early in the second period, but they were caught on the counter-attack once again, and now have a serious task to prevent the hosts running riot here.
51 minHalf-chance for the away side as Sobrino turns inside the Real Madrid box before striking on goal, but Navas is on hand to make the save. Should have done much better from that position.
52 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Benzema sweeps the ball into the back of the away side's net, but the offside flag is raised. Benzema really, really needs a goal in this second half of action.
54 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Benzema races clear before feeding Lucas, but the attacker cannot slide the cross into a teammate, with Pacheco on hand to collect. Alaves are leaving a lot of players up the field, which is making it very tough for them on the break here.
56 minBale sweeps the ball over from the edge of the box following more good work from Benzema. The Frenchman has two assists this afternoon despite missing some excellent chances to score.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of normal time remaining, and I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. Benzema, Bale and Ronaldo are all causing Alaves problems, while Lucas is holding the wide positions. There has been a lot for Zidane to be pleased about in this match.
60 minVarane goes up for a header inside the Alaves box, and the ball actually bounces onto the top of the crossbar off the head of Ely. The resulting corner is then headed clear by Garcia.
61 minHalf-chance for the away side as Guidetti works some space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was always curling over the crossbar. The visitors are still having their moments here.
61 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Alaves (Ronaldo)
62 minReal Madrid have their third of the afternoon and Ronaldo has his second as the Portuguese sweeps a low Lucas cross into the bottom corner. Excellent finish from the attacker once again!
63 minALAVES SUBS! Ibai and Medran replace Alfonso and Garcia for the visitors.
65 minThis is much more like it from Real Madrid, who are going to win their fourth straight league match to move within four points of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos are firing at the moment.
67 minCHANCE! Theo Hernandez drives into the Alaves box before attempting to slide the ball past Pacheco, but the goalkeeper makes a smart save before the ball hits Ely.
68 minGuidetti curls a free kick over the crossbar from the edge of the Real Madrid box.
70 minKovacic misses the target from distance after trying his luck for the home side.
72 minHalf-chance for the home side as Bale delivers a super cross towards the head of Ronaldo, but the Portugal international just cannot grow enough to make contact. More goals to come?!
74 minCLOSE! Lucas sees his low strike hit the side-netting!
74 minREAL MADRID SUB! Ceballos replaces Kovacic for the home side.
75 minALAVES SUB! Guidetti is replaced by Burgui for the away side.
76 minSAVE! Pacheco is on hand to keep out a powerful effort from Lucas.
78 minAlaves would absolutely love the final whistle to be blown early here. The visitors have just been unable to cope in the second period, and Real Madrid are still looking for more goals late on here.
80 minREAL MADRID SUB! Llorente replaces Casemiro for the home side.
82 minBale is currently down holding his shin, which will be a concern for the home side.
83 minBOOKING! Llorente is booked for a pull on Sobrino.
85 minThe tempo of the match has dropped since all of the changes, but Real Madrid are still looking for more goals, and do not bet against Ronaldo finding his hat-trick in the latter stages here.
87 minLucas, who has been very impressive here, delivers deep towards Bale, but Ely makes the clearance. Alaves attempt to break through Perez, but Theo Hernandez makes the clearance.
89 minPENALTY REAL MADRID!
89 minGOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Alaves (Benzema)
90 minRonaldo steps aside to let Benzema take the spot kick, and the Frenchman finds the corner!
90 min+1We are into the first minute of stoppage time, and the home side want more goals here.
90 min+2FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 4-0 Alaves
5.07pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 4-0 winners over Alaves at the Bernabeu. It is a great afternoon for the Spanish champions. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
