MARCO ASENSIO PUT in a sparkling display to help Real Madrid overcome La Liga strugglers Eibar 3-0, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s dire form in front of goal continued.
The Madrid youngster had not scored since netting a double against Valencia in August, but he took centre stage in the first-half at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having already crafted a gilt-edged opening for the equally impressive Isco, Asensio played a major part in Madrid’s rather fortunate 18th-minute opener – Paulo Oliveira inadevertently turning in the 21-year-old’s cross.
Madrid’s second goal 10 minutes later was less fortunate, Asensio hammering in first-time from Isco’s sublime cut-back.
While Asensio was on top of his game, the same could not be said of Ronaldo, who squandered a glut of opportunities either side of the break.
Eibar could have made Madrid pay for Ronaldo’s poor finishing if the referee had awarded what looked like a stonewall penalty, before substitute Marcelo wrapped up the points in style with eight minutes remaining as Zinedine Zidane’s side moved back to within five points of leaders Barcelona.
Isco should have put Madrid ahead inside a minute but, having been picked out by Asensio, the Spain playmaker failed to beat Marko Dmitrovic.
In for the injured Keylor Navas, Madrid’s stand-in goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was forced into action soon after – getting down low to keep out Joan Jordan’s effort.
Despite a somewhat sluggish opening, however, Madrid soon had their lead, Asensio’s cross looping into the top-right corner off the unfortunate Oliveira.
Eibar responded well, Casilla again alert to get down low and prevent Takashi Inui’s dipping free-kick creeping in.
Any threat of a quick comeback was swiftly cut short, though – Isco whipping in a low cross that Asensio beautifully swept home on the half volley.
Isco and Asensio combined brilliantly again to tee-up Ronaldo, who failed to apply the finish from close range.
Madrid’s playmaking duo were at it again shortly after the restart, Asensio the provider with an inch-perfect throughball into Isco’s path, but Dmitrovic pulled off a fine stop.
Casemiro – who had been booked in the first half – was fortunate not to pick up a second yellow card and concede a penalty moments later, as he scythed down Inui in the area.
Ronaldo netted his first La Liga goal of the season against Getafe last time out, but the Portugal forward could not get the better of Dmitrovic.
And Ronaldo’s woes continued late on, the 32-year-old slamming a close-range strike into the side-netting, before Marcelo took matters into his own hands.
Fellow substitute Karim Benzema slipped through a brilliant pass – Marcelo spinning clear of his marker to plant a low finish across Dmitrovic and add gloss to the victory.
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2pm KO on a Monday. Do the FAI want to make it possible for people to attend.
For God’s sake 2 o’clock on a working day. Give them a chance. Well done on the result.
With all the publicity last week, that attendance figure is v underwhelming. Terrible shame the match was played in the afternoon and not in the evening. Massive opportunity wasted.
Still, fair play on the result, ladies!
FAI dropping the ball again. Big surprise.
@Daniel Brogan: Their last 2 competitive home games against Portugal and Montenegro were at 6pm and 7pm. These drew attendances of 1500 and 946. Compared to these games todays attendance looks excellent. The team just don’t have a following and an evening kickoff could result in a worse attendance
1000 people at the highest profile women’s game in years, proves how fake people are. It’s all very well posting ‘support’ on social media, but unless you are willing to go to their games, to buy tickets’ your moral support is meaningless.
The reality is nobody gives a shyt about women’s sport in this country, particularly other women. How can you talk about equality. When the men can pack out 55,000- 80,000 seat stadium on a regular basis and the women struggle to get 1000 to 1500 on their best day?
@SuzukaYuiMoa: Being fair, I have been a Connacht fan for most my life.
No way I would ever take a day off work for friendly.
Newcastle Jets u15 boys team beat the Australian senior women’s team 7-0 in a friendly a few years back ,just goes to show to standard of women’s soccer really .
@chris irwin: dead right , I watched a lot of the last women’s world cup… standard was embarrassing
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Great result, was this game just a friendly?
@Killian Mchale: Yep.