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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema scored in a 2-0 win over Eibar on Saturday as Actual Madrid tightened the Spanish league title race earlier than its assembly with Liverpool within the Champions League.
Asensio had already hit the woodwork earlier than he opened the scoring within the forty first minute. Benzema added a second purpose with a header within the 73rd.
Madrid moved to inside three factors of chief Atlético Madrid, which faces a troublesome check at fourth-place Sevilla on Sunday. Barcelona is 4 factors again earlier than it performs Valladolid on Monday.
Madrid hosts Liverpool on Tuesday within the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League. 4 days later it is going to play Barcelona in a key match within the Spanish league, adopted by its second leg at Liverpool on April 14.
“We face an necessary week, and the primary necessary factor was to win in the present day,” stated Asensio, after scoring a 3rd purpose in as many video games.
“Now we have now the primary leg towards Liverpool after which Barcelona. They are going to be very demanding matches and we have now to be as much as the problem.”
With Sergio Ramos out with a left-leg harm, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane rested his different first-choice centerback, Raphael Varane, for the matches forward. Backups Nacho Fernández and Éder Militão began in a three-man backline together with Ferland Mendy. Toni Kroos was additionally rested, giving Isco Alarcón a spot within the beginning 11.
Madrid dominated the sport all through. Eibar wanted goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic to save lots of a one-on-one probability for Benzema three minutes into the match after defender Alejandro Pozo made a horrible cross that was poached by the Madrid striker within the field.
Asensio bent a free kick off the crossbar earlier than he took the opener.
Casemiro intercepted a cross and instantly despatched the ball ahead for Asensio, who used excellent management to go previous defender Anaitz Arbilla earlier than curling a shot over Dmitrovic.
Eibar had been restricted to 2 long-range efforts from midfielder Pape Diop within the first half. Its assault was additional diminished when ahead Bryan Gil, who debuted for Spain final week, needed to be substituted at halftime for an obvious leg harm.
However the guests had been nearly gifted an equalizer with half an hour to play after heavy rain and robust winds. A tame-looking cross from Lucas Vázquez again to Thibaut Courtois slipped previous him and the Madrid goalkeeper needed to slide to kick the ball clear earlier than it crossed his goal-line.
After that scare, Benzema put the outcome past doubt when substitute Vinícius Júnior crossed for him to attain his 18th league purpose of the season.
Eibar remained within the relegation zone after 12 rounds and not using a win.
“We barely bothered them within the first half,” Eibar striker Kike García stated. “We knew this could be a tough recreation.”
COPA DEL REY FINAL
Real Sociedad beat fierce Basque rival Athletic Bilbao 1-0 within the delayed last of the 2020 Copa del Rey on Saturday, giving the winners their first title since 1987.
Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored the sport’s solely purpose from the penalty spot within the 63rd minute after Iñigo Martínez fouled Portu Portugués.
The match had been postponed for the reason that finish of final season within the hope that the pandemic scenario would enhance sufficient to permit followers to attend the extremely anticipated conflict between the 2 regional rivals.
However with the coronavirus nonetheless forcing strict limits on social gatherings in Spain, officers stated it was unattainable for spectators to be allowed in Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium.
Bilbao may have one other shot in two simply weeks, when it performs Barcelona within the 2021 Copa del Rey last.
MORENO TREBLE
Gerard Moreno scored a hat trick in Villarreal’s 3-0 win at Granada, taking the Spain striker’s tally to 19 objectives within the league this marketing campaign.
Apart from opening and shutting the scoring from the penalty spot, Moreno doubled the lead within the 18th with an excellent solo effort. Moreno used the within of his boot to knock a cross he acquired into open house whereas he spun freed from his marker. He then chipped a shot over the goalkeeper from a good scoring angle.
Getafe drew 0-0 at Osasuna.
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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports activities
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