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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Apr 29, 2015 at 7pm UK
 
Almeria

3-0

Rodriguez (44'), Dos Santos (49' og.), Arbeloa (84')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Real Madrid close La Liga gap to two points with Almeria win

Real Madrid close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points with a 3-0 win over Almeria.

Real Madrid closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points with a 3-0 win over Almeria on Wednesday evening.

Strikes from James Rodriguez and Alvaro Arbeloa either side of an own goal from Mauro dos Santos were enough for the home side to turn the heat back up on fierce rivals Barca.

Carlo Ancelotti's men were unable to breach a stubborn Almeria defence until a minute before half time when James struck to give the frustrated hosts the advantage at the break.

The European champions should have been ahead inside the first five minutes but James could only head over from Arbeloa's cross.

Cristiano Ronaldo then had a couple of chances in quick succession when he headed over the bar moments after forcing a save with a shot at Almeria goalkeeper Ruben Martinez.

The visitors almost took a shock lead before the half-hour mark when Thomas Partey found Sebastian Dubarbier only for the latter to miss the target when well placed.

James Rodriguez of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and UD Almeria at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 29, 2015© Getty Images

With the first half petering out, Colombian international James struck a volley to give the home side the lead.

Los Blancos extended their advantage less than five minutes into the second half when Ronaldo's effort took a deflection off Dos Santos.

Raphael Varane almost put the result beyond doubt on 69 minutes when he headed Toni Kroos's corner narrowly wide.

Ex-Liverpool defender Arbeloa eventually made it 3-0 inside the final six minutes when he finished from close range after being set up by Isco.

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Real Madrid's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Malaga FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 18, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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