Real Madrid ran out 2-1 victors at the Santiago Bernabeu after Duje Cop fluffed his lines from the penalty spot
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace as Madrid saw out a nervy end to the game, ensuring that the Spanish giants preserve their lead in the La Liga.
Ronaldo put Madrid ahead after Lucas Vazquez was fouled in the area in the 4th minute of the game.
He then doubled the lead on 17 minutes with a header after a brilliant cross from Nacho found Ronaldo unmarked in the box. The Portugese international made no mistake, directing a bullet header into the bottom left corner.
A surprisingly uncharacteristic error from Luka Modric under virtually no pressure allowed Gijon back into the game, after Modric’s wayward pass caught Madrid by surprise and allowed Carlos Carmona to pull one back.
There appeared to be a further twist in the tale after Gijon were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute.
Nacho was adjudged to have fouled Victor Rodriguez in the box.
Duje Cop stepped up to take the penalty and failed miserably, hitting the ball high and wide from 12 yards out.
Madrid then saw out the rest of the game to come away with 3 points.
We take a look at some of the key talking points from the game :
Cristiano Ronaldo is ridiculously good
Ronaldo was key to Madrid’s victory tonight, putting in a good performance and scoring a brace to ensure Madrid picked up all 3 points. At times, he looked unplayable, at one point beating two players and playing an excellent ball into the box.
His run and positioning for the second goal was perfect, and his movement left him with only Gijon’s goalkeeper to beat.
Twitter was filled with some absolutely ridiculous statistics concerning Ronaldo after the game, and it is figures like this that will cement him as one of the best players of all time :
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in Europe's HISTORY to score 50+ goals in 6 CONSECUTIVE calendar years [club & country].
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 26, 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 100 braces since joining Real Madrid [all competitions].
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) November 26, 2016
Madrid rode their luck
Real Madrid were impressive in the opening exchanges of the game, but make no mistake about it – the result was harsh on Gijon. Gijon were constantly threatening Keylor Navas’ goal and came close on many occasions.
Whatever the circumstances of Carlos Carmona’s goal, Gijon definitely deserved a goal at that stage of the game for their performance until that point. Duje Cop’s agonising penalty miss was harsh on the visitors, as their play deserved more than a loss.
Real Madrid were undoubtedly lucky this game, and have in fact been lucky in quite a few games on their current 31-game unbeaten run.
The result also saw Madrid extend their lead at the top of the table, although Barcelona still have a game in hand.
There is no doubt that Madrid are getting lucky, but there is always an element of luck to title-winning seasons. If their current run is anything to go by, this could be exactly one of those seasons.
Nacho is turning into one of Madrid’s key players
Nacho is turning into the ultimate utility defender for Real Madrid. It was the defender’s brilliant cross that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to add a second on the night.
Nacho – playing as a left-back – broke down the left and whipped in a fast, pinpoint cross that left Ronaldo with a relatively simple finish.
Nacho has been utilised in several positions throughout his Madrid career. He has played at left-back, right-back and at centre-back, and has looked relatively comfortable in all of those roles.
He is a player that works hard, turns up when required and doesn’t complain about the constant changes in position.
Versatile players are always a huge asset to teams – especially in an assault on the title – and Nacho is proving to be a brilliant one for Real Madrid.
Nacho one of the most underrated players of all time.
— Mó (@MadridVoice) November 26, 2016
The time has come for James and Isco to step up
Gareth Bale is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after damaging the peroneal tendons in his right ankle, with some reports suggesting he could be out for up to four months. Bale will no doubt be a huge miss for Real Madrid, and it was easy to see the difference he brings to this side after Real Madrid’s disjointed second half performance tonight.
However, the injury to Bale means that Isco, James and Lucas Vazquez must now duke it out amongst themselves to see who will fill in for the Welshman.
James has great potential but has flattered to deceive thus far at Madrid. Isco has undoubted skills, and has been playing a lot more this season but he has some way to go if he is to be considered a first choice player for Real Madrid. Lucas Vazquez’s appearance tonight meant that he has now played the most matches of any Real player this season – 16 out of 18 matches.
Given their ability, James and Isco must now make the step up in Bale’s absence and convince Zinedine Zidane of their commitment and quality.
For James especially, this is starting to look like his last chance to prove that he belongs at Real Madrid
