Madrid: Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio scored a stunning second half goal as Zinedine Zidane’s side put their troubles behind them by cruising to a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas in a La Liga match played Sunday.
Casemiro opened the scoring for the Spanish champions in the first half before Asensio and then Isco scored after the break to give Real Madrid their first win in three games in all competitions.
The victory took Real above neighbours Atletico, who also have 23 points, on goal difference into third spot, four off Valencia and eight adrift of Barcelona.
“We came out looking for the win, they sat deep but then once we scored we were able to hit them on the counter,” said Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
“We were clinical in front of goal and the win comes at a good time for us. We go into the derby (against Atletico) next time out with a win under our belts,” he added.
Karim Benzema missed a good chance after three minutes when he fired straight at rival keeper Raul Lizoain. Nacho then went close before Cristiano Ronaldo – who has one Liga goal this season – clipped the outside of the post with a left-foot shot.
Casemiro’s goal came at a good time for the home side, with the interval fast approaching, and released the tension around the Bernabeu when he stooped to nod home Asensio’s corner.
From there on it was plain sailing for Zidane’s side. Asensio made it 2-0 with an unstoppable left-foot strike into the top corner.
Ronaldo went close again and Ramos struck the bar before Isco rounded off the scoring with a sweeping move on the break 15 minutes from the end. Late on there were a smattering of boos for French striker Benzema as he was substituted.
reuters
