Goals: Almeria—Verza 39’; Real Madrid—Isco 34’ - Bale 42’ - Ronaldo 81', 88'
Watch ISCO go to work. Sensational goal. Real Madrid go up 1-0. #beINLaLiga #ALMvsRealMadrid https://t.co/fKQ3aasIUe
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 12, 2014
Recap: Ninety minutes of inspired football saw Real Madrid capture a 4-1 victory over Almeria on Friday.
Patient build-up finally prevailed for the visitors in the 34th minute. It was Isco’s masterful technique, playing a cross from Karim Benzema off the chest to his favored right foot, that opened the affair. Almeria promptly responded. Verza equalized on the volley just five minutes later. Real Madrid, however, would not be denied. A sublime header from Gareth Bale provided the club its second lead before the break.
A second-half brace from Crisitano Ronaldo sealed the 4-1 victory.
Almeria granted a dubious penalty, Marcelo sees red AND IKER SAVES THE PENALTY. #ALMvsRealMadrid #beINLaLiga https://t.co/mac6U9YPB9
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 12, 2014
Key Moment: It was a soft penalty awarded in the 62nd minute, but the ball didn't lie. Verza did little to trouble Iker Casillas. The Madrid captain preserved the lead and allowed the club to escape the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos with the full three points.
Man of the Match: The injury to Luka Modric (thigh) was supposed to derail Madrid’s midfield. Just don’t tell that to Toni Kroos. The 24-year-old finished with an assist, two tackles and 7.9 percent of Madrid’s touches.
And just like that Madrid are back up thanks to a snap header from Gareth Bale. #beINLaLiga #ALMvsRealMadrid https://t.co/R2p4srdBTu
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 12, 2014
Lesson Learned: Real Madrid’s technical ability is only matched by their patience. Despite Almeria’s frenetic pace in the opening 15 minutes and Verza’s equalizer, Los Galacticos remained composed. Unlike most talented sides, Madrid did more than rely on sheer, raw capability to regain the lead. The purposeful tactics of Carlo Ancelotti allowed Madrid to play its game despite the opposition and circumstance. The result: A 20-match winning streak, only four short of the world record held by Brazilian outfit Coritiba (2011).
Up Next: Real Madrid travel to Morocco to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, while Almeria hosts Real Betis in the Copa del Rey Round 32 on Dec. 16.
Beautiful play by Real Madrid and Ronaldo gets his goal. 3-1. #beINLaLiga #ALMvsRealMadrid https://t.co/B7PPG6466a
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 12, 2014
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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