Real Madrid put three past Alaves to widen LaLiga lead

Madrid, Feb. 20 (BNA): Real Madrid managed to win 3-0 at home against lowly Alaves, scoring all three goals in the last 27 minutes of the match after the visitors gave them some dread early on and threatened to quit. Surprise at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Marco Asensio sparked the Bernabeu’s goal in the 63rd minute with a superb shot in the upper right corner from outside the penalty area.

Vinicius Junior extended the lead in the 80th minute, and Karim Benzema added another goal with a penalty kick in injury time, Reuters reported.

The La Liga leaders have risen to 57 points from 25 games, seven ahead of Sevilla and 14 ahead of Real Betis – both of whom have a game in hand against Real. Champions Atlético Madrid are fourth with 42 points, three points behind Barcelona.

“Our fans always ask us to win and we have to give it, we are used to the pressure and in the second half they gave us the support we needed to win,” Dani Carvajal told reporters.

“I understand the fans are upset, at Real Madrid a higher level should be necessary,” Carvajal said, referring to the boos from the stands after the goalless first half against the second team from below.

While the result may have looked comfortable, Real Madrid looked tired and sluggish from the start, managing only two shots on target in the first half.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti, often criticized for a lack of rotation in the starting line-up 11, didn’t make any changes until Asensio and Vinicius worked their magic of late.

A win could give Real a little breathing room at the top of the table – but not enough to reduce the pressure or expectations they face from their fans.