Real Madrid welcomed Villarreal to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night looking to record an eighth straight La Liga win.
Victories for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had left Los Blancos four points off the pace, but they took a 1-0 lead into the interval courtesy of a close-range header from Karim Benzema.
Lucas Vasquez hit a second for Real Madrid 20 minutes from time, before Luka Modric made it 3-0 in the 76th minute to ensure that the hosts would move to within one point of the league leaders Barcelona.
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 Real Madrid welcome Villarreal. When Los Blancos lost against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid at the end of February, it did appear that their title hopes were over this term. Zinedine Zidane's side have won each of their seven league games since then, however, to leave them just one point off the summit as we enter the run-in. It promises to be a fascinating conclusion to the title race in Spain's top flight, that is for sure!
Villarreal, meanwhile, are looking to consolidate fourth position in the table and like Real Madrid, have a European semi-final to also think about in the next couple of weeks. The Yellow Submarine beat Real Madrid 1-0 when the pair met at El Madrigal in the league earlier this season, but Real Madrid have incredibly never lost to Villarreal in the league at the Bernabeu – winning 11 of their 15 matches and only failing to hit the back of the net on one occasion. That is some record for Real Madrid!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Who is in and who is out for Real Madrid and Villarreal tonight? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
VILL: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Bonera, Rukavina; Dos Santos, Trigueros, Bruno; Suarez, Adrian, Bakambu
So there we have it. Real Madrid boss Zidane has selected arguably his strongest available team tonight, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric all included. Gareth Bale's absence sees Lucas Vasquez come into the XI, while Danilo starts ahead of Dani Carvajal at right-back.
As for Villarreal, top scorer Cedric Bakambu will lead the line, but there is no Roberto Soldado, with Adrian picked to start in the final third. Jonathan dos Santos and Manu Trigueros are selected in the middle of the park, while Denis Suarez keeps his spot in a wide position for the top-four chasers.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 15 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in the Spanish capital. Villarreal have shown their credentials right throughout the season, but they will be the underdogs tonight against a Real Madrid team that are looking to put an eighth straight league victory on the board and keep the pressure on both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
A 5-1 win over Getafe at the weekend followed a 4-0 success at home to Eibar and allowed Real Madrid to move within one point of the league leaders Barcelona. That gap is about to become four due to Barcelona's 8-0 lead at Deportivo La Coruna, while Atletico are currently 1-0 up at Athletic Bilbao.
In terms of what Real Madrid have to come, Zidane's team will travel to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, before visiting Real Sociedad on April 30. They then host Valencia, before ending the season away to Deportivo. In all likelihood, Real Madrid will need to win all five of their remaining league games to stand a chance of winning the title and it would be an incredible achievement if they could overcome Barcelona, who for so long looked certain to win another crown.
Real Madrid also made the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 3-0 home win over Wolfsburg last Tuesday. The 10-time European Cup winners will face Manchester City in the semi-finals, with the first leg due to take place at the Etihad Stadium next Tuesday. If Los Blancos can overcome the Premier League side, they will meet either Atletico or Bayern Munich in the final.
As for tonight's visitors to Madrid Villarreal, Marcelino's side also have English opposition in Europe as they prepare to take on Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Europa League. The first leg will take place at El Madrigal on April 28, before the Spanish outfit visit Anfield one week later. The winners of the Europa League will automatically qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, but Villarreal are in a strong position to secure a top-four finish in La Liga this season.
Indeed, a total of 60 points have left Villarreal in fourth position – six points ahead of fifth-place Athletic Bilbao. Marcelino's side have won 17 of their 33 league games this season, but they did suffer their seventh league defeat of the campaign away to capital side Rayo Vallecano at the weekend and have actually only won one of their last seven away games in Spain's top flight.
RESULT! Deportivo 0-8 Barcelona! Barcelona have moved three points clear at the top of La Liga courtesy of a thumping 8-0 win at Deportivo. The pressure is back on Real Madrid!
Villarreal's strong season has been built on an excellent defence, which has only conceded 28 times. Indeed, only Atletico have conceded fewer league goals (16) than Villarreal this season, but the Yellow Submarine have only found the back of the net on 42 occasions. Twelve of those have come from 25-year-old striker Cedric Bakambu, while Roberto Soldado has pitched in with five.
Right, Barcelona have won to move four points clear of third-place Real Madrid. Meanwhile, second-place Atletico are currently 1-0 ahead at Athletic Bilbao. The top two are doing their bit and it is up to Real Madrid to continue their winning run. Kickoff is a matter of moments away in the capital!
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It is the home side that kick things off at the Bernabeu...
... just a reminder that Barcelona have already beaten Deportivo 8-0 tonight. Atletico, meanwhile, are currently 1-0 ahead away to Bilbao - I shall keep you up-to-date with that one. The focus is on Real Madrid here, however, and the home side have started with decent possession of the ball.
Villarreal, who are in charge of fourth position in La Liga, are extremely comfortable in possession and the Yellow Submarine have had plenty of early ball here. Jonathan dos Santos looks to race away from Marcelo before picking out a cute pass towards Adrian, but Varane makes the clearance.
The elusive Denis Suarez shows smart feet in a wide position, but the Spaniard is crowded out at the vital moment and Villarreal are forced back. Confident football from the Yellow Submarine here.
Mario is a touch fortunate to escape a booking following a late challenge on Ronaldo, which saw the Portuguese hit the deck in a wide position. Kroos delivers, but Rukavina makes the clearance.
SAVE! Asenjo gets down to keep out a strike from Benzema after Modric had been bundled to the deck just outside the box. Decent advantage from the referee there!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid are on the front foot as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Atletico are still 1-0 up at Bilbao, but there is still 20 minutes left in that one. Asenjo gets down to keep out a Ronaldo cross here.
Kroos drives away from the Villarreal midfield before attempting to pick out a pass into Benzema, but Bailly is across to make the clearance. Still goalless with 14 minutes on the clock in the capital.
Real Madrid are certainly on the front foot at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but it is easy to see why Villarreal have the second-best defensive record in Spain.
Villarreal have a lovely balance to their team at the moment as Bruno continues to find Dos Santos in room down the right. Real Madrid are quick across the turf, however, and are closing the space available. Both managers will be pretty pleased with the opening 19 minutes of action at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Trigueros brings Danilo to the deck...
... Ronaldo fires his free kick straight into the wall.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as Villarreal continue to make it difficult for Real Madrid, who are seeking an eighth straight league victory in tonight's match.
Bailly collides with his own teammate Mario and the centre-back does not look too comfortable. Real Madrid will be looking to take advantage of that because this Villarreal defence has not given too much away in the opening 26 minutes. In fact, the visitors are comfortable as things stand here.
We have not seen too much from Bakambu in the Villarreal attack, but the striker does not need too many chances to find the back of the net. Villarreal are not exactly throwing players forward, but they are starting to make some ground through Suarez and Dos Santos in the wide positions here.
Benzema attacks the near post after a smart cross from Danilo, but Villarreal manage to bundle the ball behind once again as the pressure increases. Still all square with 30 minutes on the clock.
Possession football for Villarreal at the moment as they frustrate the home supporters.
CLOSE! Vasquez strikes towards goal after meeting an excellent pass from Modric, but the Spaniard's effort was always moving wide of the post. Stunning technique there!
RESULT! Bilbao 0-1 Atletico! Atletico have held on to record a 1-0 win at Bilbao and move level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table. What an effort from the capital side!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, Villarreal are comfortable here.
Half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo gets down the left before delivering a smart cross towards Benzema, but Bailly - the excellent Bailly - is once again on hand to make the clearance.
Ronaldo fires one over the crossbar as Real Madrid's frustration grows here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (Benzema)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 41st minute as Benzema heads home from close range after Asenjo had palmed a low cross from Ronaldo straight into the path of the Frenchman!
SAVE! Navas is forced to keep out a strike from Suarez following a swift counter from the away side. Bakambu was in space there and the striker is not too pleased with his teammate!
BOOKING! Trigueros (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Modric.
BOOKING! Danilo (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a Benzema header in the 41st minute. It has been a very tight opening 45 minutes at the Bernabeu, but Real Madrid deserve to be ahead as they seek an eighth straight league win.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 66%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which were on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, hit the target on just one occasion in that first 45 minutes. Two yellow cards to report - Trigueros for Villarreal and Danilo for Real Madrid.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a wealth of attacking options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Isco, Jese, Kovacic and James all available for the home side. Villarreal, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Baptistao, Samuel and Leiva, but there is no Soldado tonight.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Villarreal find a route back into this match? We shall see! It is the away side that resume the action...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both Zidane and Marcelino will have alterations in mind for the second 45 minutes.
Modric has a strike deflected wide of the post as Real Madrid threaten a second goal here.
Ronaldo gets up to meet a corner from Kroos, but his header is over the crossbar!
CLOSE! Modric just curls one wide of the post as Real Madrid continue to threaten!
Villarreal are finding it difficult to get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. A second Real goal at this stage would be a killer for Villarreal.
Real Madrid continue to force the issue as Marcelo delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but it is just too high for Benzema and Villarreal manage to clear. Danilo is down the opposite side moments later and he also delivers towards Benzema, but Dos Santos manages to fire clear of the box.
Ronaldo misses the target once again with a strike from distance.
Super defending from Rukavina as the left-back comes across to challenge Ronaldo inside the box. Ronaldo wants a corner, but the referee looks across and sees the linesman's flag waving in the wind.
Almost a chance for Villarreal as Dos Santos looks to pick out Bakambu at the far post, but Ramos is on hand to make a last-ditch challenge. At 1-0, Villarreal will always be in this match!
Ronaldo is finding it difficult to get the better of Bailly at the moment as the Villarreal centre-back again comes across to make a fine challenge. The 22-year-old has been excellent again tonight.
Rukavina loses out to Vasquez and the Real Madrid attacker delivers a dangerous low cross into the Villarreal box, but Asenjo is on hand to make the stop as the visitors prepare their first change.
VILLARREAL SUB! Samuel Garcia replaces Dos Santos for the home side.
Little over 25 minutes of this contest to play and the two teams are still separated by that Benzema header in the first period. Real Madrid will not mind how they win tonight, as long as they do!
VILLARREAL SUB! Baptistao replaces Adrian in Villarreal's second change.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments and I am a little surprised that there is no movement on the Real Madrid bench. Isco, James and Jese are all available for the home side and they are in need of some fresh legs in the final third as we approach the 70th minute.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal (Vasquez)
Real Madrid have their second of the night as Vasquez combines with Benzema before finding the bottom corner with a fine strike from just inside the box. That should be the points for the hosts!
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Kroos in Real Madrid's first change.
VILLARREAL SUB! Rodri replaces Trigerous in Villarreal's final sub.
Poor from Real Madrid as Ramos finds himself in an offside position after a strike from Isco had hit the legs of the centre-back. Villarreal are a little bit scrappy at the back at the moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal (Modric)
What a strike! Real Madrid have their third of the night as Modric expertly volleys a Danilo cross into the back of the net from inside the box. Wonderful technique from the midfielder there!
REAL MADRID SUB! James Rodriguez replaces Modric for the home side.
Villarreal made life difficult for Real Madrid in the first period, but it has been a very comfortable second half for the home side, who are going to end the night one point off the top once again.
Little over five minutes remaining at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid are very, very comfortable.
REAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez replaces Vasquez in Real's third change.
BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Rodri.
Suarez fires a free kick straight at Navas as Real Madrid close on another clean sheet.
Ronaldo twists and turns inside the box before setting up Marcelo, who delivers a cross towards Benzema at the far post, but it comes off the striker's shoulder and bounces behind for a goal-kick.
Three additional minutes have been added here.
Half-chance for the visitors as Samuel Garcia meets a bouncing ball inside the Real Madrid box, but his strike is straight at Varane. Meanwhile, Ronaldo seems to have walked off the pitch here after suffering a knock in a clash with Bailly. Real Madrid will play the final seconds with 10 men.
Villarreal have a free kick just outside the box as Marcelo fells Baptistao...
... a quick free kick is played into Garcia, but his cross is straight into the arms of Navas.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal
So there we have it. It is a case of 'as you were' in La Liga as Real Madrid close the gap on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to just one point with four games left. What a title race we have in Spain! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
