Real Madrid continue to go stride-for-stride with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings, closing the gap back to just two points with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Cádiz.
Sitting five points behind leaders Barcelona after seeing their 12-match unbeaten league run ended by near-neighbours Rayo Vallecano last time out, Real prowled for vengeance against a Pirates side sitting in the relegation zone.
In the club’s final contest before the FIFA World Cup break, Cádiz more than held their own in the early stages and saw Álex Fernández hit the bar with a speculative effort early on.
When Cádiz headed to the Bernabéu last December they were in a similar position to where they are now, but the Pirates looked little like the side who scraped to a draw back then, as they struggled to break through the lines of white.
Alfonso Espino then headed over a golden opportunity to leave the Pirates wondering what could have been, but they can take some encouragement from this showing, despite being unable to escape the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are now unbeaten in 13 home games, and their relentless duel with Barcelona for the crown will resume on New Years’ Eve with a trip to Valladolid.
