Real Madrid have closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to five points courtesy of a 3-0 win over Eibar at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.
Los Blancos entered the match down in fourth position after Atletico Madrid had beaten Celta Vigo earlier in the day, but a comfortable win over Eibar has seen the league champions return to third spot.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the Spanish champions Real Madrid welcome Eibar. Los Blancos will be looking to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to five points, and will certainly be confident of overcoming an Eibar team that have lost three of their last four in the league. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates from the capital!
Eibar actually held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match at the Bernabeu last season. Indeed, an early Fran Rico strike was enough for the visitors to claim a point after Real Madrid failed to build on their equaliser from Gareth Bale. Their last meeting ended in a 4-1 Real Madrid win, however, with that victory occurring in the reverse match last term.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Eibar have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in Champions League action against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night. Any changes from that one?
TEAMS!
REAL: Casilla; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Theo; Casemiro, Modric, Ceballos; Isco, Ronaldo, Asensio
EIBAR: Dmitrovic; Capa, Paulo, Lomban, Jose Angel; Arbilla, Rivera, Escalante, Jordan; Charles, Inui
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made five changes to the team that started against Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Nacho and Theo Hernandez replace Achraf Hakimi and Marcelo at the back, while Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio come in for Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. There is also a change between the sticks as Kiko Casilla replaces the injured Keylor Navas.
As for Eibar, Yoel Rodriguez, Pedro Leon, Fran Rico, Ivan Alejo and Ivan Ramis all miss out for the visitors through injury. Charles and Takashi Inui come in for Sergi Enrich and Kike in the final third of the field, while there are also starts for David Lomban and Jose Angel as head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar shuffles his pack at the Bernabeu. Eibar are far from full strength for this one.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Madrid. I shall talk about Eibar and their start to the season a little bit later, but let's start with the home side. Real Madrid might have won their last three in the league, but they are still down in fourth position, and now eight points off the league leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid opened their 2017-18 La Liga season with a 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna, but were then held by Valencia and Levante in back-to-back home matches. They then won 3-1 at Real Sociedad, before incredibly suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Betis on September 20. At that point, question marks were surrounding the future of Zidane despite his incredible success at the helm.
Los Blancos have beaten Alaves, Espanyol and Getafe in their last three, although they were not convincing in any of those matches. A total of 17 points has left them in fourth position – eight points behind the league leaders Barcelona, who recorded a 2-0 win over basement side Malaga last night. Only a win will do for Real Madrid tonight as they look to chase down their Clasico rivals.
Real Madrid were again criticised for their performance on Tuesday night, however, as they failed to overcome Tottenham in the Champions League. Spurs led through an own goal from Raphael Varane, before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot late in the first period.
The Spanish and European champions failed to build on the equaliser, however, and were forced to share the points with Tottenham. Much has been written about Zidane's attack, with many claiming that the Frenchman missed the chance to freshen his team during the summer transfer window.
In terms of what is to come for Real Madrid, they will travel to Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, before visiting Girona in the league next weekend. They will then travel to Tottenham in the Champions League, and the outcome of that match could well decide who tops the group.
Eibar, meanwhile, will enter this match down in 16th position in the table after collecting just seven points from their eight matches this term. They have recorded two wins and one draw, but only Las Palmas, Alaves and Malaga have lost more league games than Eibar (5) in the early weeks of the season.
Worryingly, Eibar have only scored three times in their eight league matches this term, which is not a record that will fill their supporters with too much confidence ahead of tonight's match. They took a 6-1 thumping at Barcelona last month, before shipping seven unanswered goals in games against Celta Vigo and Villarreal. It could be a long night in the Spanish capital for the Basque club.
That said, Jose Luis Mendilibar's side, who finished 10th in La Liga last season, did pick up a point at home to Deportivo last weekend. Right, the scene is set. Kickoff is next at the Bernabeu!
KICKOFF! Eibar kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... just a reminder that Eibar actually picked up a 1-1 draw in this stadium last season. Can they repeat that result tonight? Real Madrid surely cannot afford not to win this football match.
SAVE! Smart save from Dmitrovic as the Eibar goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Isco! Real Madrid had worked the ball into the Eibar box, but it was a smart piece of goalkeeping!
Eibar work the ball into the final third as Charles holds off the challenge of Casemiro before sliding a pass into Capa, but the offside flag is raised. The visitors are playing in a 3-5-2 formation tonight, with Cote and Capa operating in the wing-back areas. Inui is supporting Charles up top.
SAVE! Casilla has to drop down to keep out a strike from Jordan as Eibar worked the ball into the final third once again. It has been a very open start to this clash in the Spanish capital.
As expected, Real Madrid are having a lot of the ball in the early stages, but Eibar are pushing players forward as they look to cause the home side problems. You do get the feeling that the visitors will need to score the first goal tonight to have any chance of securing a positive result.
Plenty for the Eibar supporters to feel positive about in the opening 10 minutes as their team continue to enjoy possession in Real Madrid's half of the field. Still goalless in the capital.
Escalante heads harmlessly wide of the Real Madrid post as Eibar break forward once again.
Eibar are being encouraged forward as Real Madrid struggle to get going in the final third of the field. Isco has come very deep in a bid to get involved, but we have hardly seen Ronaldo up top. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock, although the best chance has come for the home side.
The Real Madrid supporters are doing their best to raise the team, but not too much is happening at the moment. Eibar are comfortable as another pass from a deep area is over-hit.
Smart goalkeeping from Dmitrovic as the Eibar stopper comes off his line to clear a through pass from Isco, which looked to be finding Asensio. Ronaldo just cannot get in the game at the moment as Eibar remain nice and solid at the back. Still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Eibar (Oliveira, OG)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 18th minute as Eibar defender Paulo Oliveira heads an Asensio cross into the back of his own net! Ramos was there, but Oliveira got the final touch!
Eibar are still causing problems in the final third, and more care from Charles would have seen the visitors have a two-on-one in a dangerous area. Inui then breaks down the left, and delivers a dangerous cross which is gathered by Casilla. The visitors fancy their chances of a goal here.
Jose Angel delivers a dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance. Eibar continue to cause all sorts of problems as they find space in wide positions.
BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
That was strange from Casemiro. He just got really involved with Jose Angel and Charles when there was no need! The Brazilian is now on a yellow card, which could prove problematic.
BOOKING! Charles (Eibar) was also booked for his involvement.
SAVE! Casilla keeps out a dangerous free kick from Jordan!
SAVE! Smart save from Dmitrovic to keep out Asensio's long-range strike.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar (Asensio)
Real Madrid double their lead in the 28th minute as Asensio sweeps a low Isco cross into the bottom corner! It is tough on Eibar, who have been impressive for long spells of this game.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid are in complete control at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Modric looks to find Ronaldo with a clever pass from a deep position, but the Portuguese had just moved into an offside position.
CLOSE! Casemiro sends a long-range attempt just wide of the far post!
Eibar are coming under serious pressure at the moment as Real Madrid keep the ball inside the away side's half of the field. Ronaldo and Ceballos both have strikes, but both are blocked. Isco then looks to deliver into the path of Asensio, who takes a heavy touch at the vital moment.
Just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid would take them above Atletico Madrid into third position in the table. It would also close the gap on leaders Barcelona to five points once again.
Jose Angel swings one just wide of the Real Madrid post from outside the penalty box.
Real Madrid might be two goals ahead, but Ronaldo does not look very happy at the moment. The Portuguese has actually only scored one league goal this season, and will be desperate to register tonight. It would take a brave man to bet against the number seven finding the net.
Theo Hernandez takes a heavy challenge from Arbilla, and ends up in a heap on the deck!
It was a fair challenge from Arbilla, but one that would have hurt Hernandez. The left-back is up on his feet, however, and should be fine to continue. Still 2-0 to Real Madrid with 43 minutes played.
Quite a scrappy period of the match in the last few minutes as Real Madrid lose possession in forward positions. Eibar, despite being 2-0 behind, have actually played pretty well tonight.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Eibar 2-0. The home side led in the 18th minute courtesy of an own goal from Oliveira, before Asensio doubled their lead 10 minutes later. Eibar have played quite well, but find themselves two goals behind.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 61%, while they hit the target with three of their six attempts. Eibar, meanwhile, only managed one attempt on target from four shots. Two yellow cards to report - Casemiro and Charles for their clash at the mid-point of the first period.
BENCH WATCH! Eibar do have a number of attacking players on their bench tonight, with the likes of Bebe, Enrich, Kike and Junca all available. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Benzema, Kroos, Lucas Vazquez and Marcelo. Will we see any changes ahead of the second period?
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Eibar force a free kick in an advanced area after smart work from Jordan, but Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. Capa then collects in a wide area, and sends the ball behind for a goal kick.
SAVE! Super save from the Eibar goalkeeper, who keeps out a close-range attempt from Isco. Asensio had released Isco in an advanced area, but Dmitrovic made the save!
Real Madrid seem intent on scoring a third early in the second period as they move the ball with pace and purpose in the final third of the field. Eibar are just about holding on at the moment.
Ronaldo fires a free kick into orbit as the number seven's frustrating night continues here.
Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez have been sent to warm up as this second period continues to gather pace. Eibar are still committing players forward, but Real Madrid are threatening a third here.
Inui goes down inside the Real Madrid box under a challenge from Casemiro, but the referee is not interested. Rivera then hits one from distance, and his attempt was always wide of the post.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Eibar are seeing much more of the ball as they continue to commit players in the final third. We are approaching the stage of the match where both managers will be looking behind them and considering a change or two.
Hernandez delivers a low cross into the Eibar box as Real Madrid threaten once again, but Ronaldo cannot make contact. It must be said that the section of supporters behind the goal that Real Madrid are currently attacking are creating a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium.
Eibar continue to enjoy good possession, but they are not really threatening to score here.
EIBAR SUB! Kike replaces Charles for the away side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Benzema replaces Asensio for Real Madrid.
Modric puts the ball through the legs of Jordan before hitting one from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 2-0 Real Madrid with 66 minutes on the clock in the capital.
SAVE! Another brilliant save from the Eibar goalkeeper, who comes out to deny Ronaldo. The ball then falls for Benzema, and the Frenchman fires his effort over the crossbar!
Eibar are not finished here as they continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Kike breaks into the Real Madrid box, but the substitute was in an offside position. It appears that Marcelo will soon join the action for the home side, who lead 2-0 with 69 minutes on the clock.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vazquez replaces Isco for the home side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Marcelo replaces Ceballos in Real Madrid's final change.
EIBAR SUB! Pena replaces Capa for the away team.
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 2-0. It has been far from vintage Real Madrid once again, but they are closing on a very important three points here.
Smart block from Oliveira to keep out Benzema's goal-bound strike.
Will we see a Ronaldo goal in the final stages of this match? Just a reminder that the Portuguese has only managed one in the league this season. Plenty in the Champions League though!
CHANCE! Ronaldo hits the side-netting after connecting on a cross from Marcelo!
EIBAR SUB! Enrich replaces Escalante for the away side.
One goal for Eibar at this stage would make things very interesting indeed approaching the final minutes. Inui has a strike from outside the box, but his effort was always wide of the post.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar (Marcelo)
Real Madrid score their third in the 82nd minute as a wonderful move ends with Marcelo finding the bottom corner with a brilliant strike! That is game, set and match in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid will fancy their chances of scoring more goals in the latter stages as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Eibar are suddenly not quite as quick to the ball here.
Well, job done for Real Madrid tonight. It has not been pretty for long spells, but that third goal was brilliant, and they have been comfortable for long spells. Eibar have had plenty of positive moments tonight, but their lack of goals is a concern at this stage of the season. There is no doubt about that.
Casilla is down to comfortably keep out a shot from Kike.
SAVE! Another save from Dmitrovic to keep out Ronaldo!
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the second period.
SAVE! Smart save from Casilla to keep out Inui's powerful drive.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 3-0 winners over Eibar at the Bernabeu. Los Blancos are back into third, and now sit just five points off the league leaders Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live coverage once again!
