Gareth Bale breaks goal drought as Real Madrid see off Huesca
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Gareth Bale ended a three-month goal drought in La Liga to give Real Madrid a nervy 1-0 win away to basement club Huesca on Sunday, taking his side back into the top four at the expense of Alaves.
The Wales forward, who had not found the net in the league since Sept. 1 but had scored in the Champions League, gave Real an ideal start by volleying home a cross from Alvaro Odriozola in the eighth minute.
Huesca, bottom of the table with a meagre seven points and without a win since the opening day of the season, did not lay down against the European champions though, and it took a flying save from Thibaut Courtois to prevent Ezequiel Avila levelling soon afterwards.
Bale was denied another goal in the second half by Huesca's keeper and the home side laid siege to Real's area in the final stages but fell short of an equaliser as Courtois tipped a dangerous free kick over the bar in stoppage time and Dani Carvajal made a frantic clearance.
Real's eighth win in nine games in all competitions under coach Santiago Solari saw them climb above Alaves into fourth in the standings on 26 points after 15 games, five behind leaders Barcelona. Reuters
Match preview
What time does it start?
Huesca vs Real Madrid kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 3:10pm and on their La Liga TV channel from kick-off. Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.
Highlights will be shown at 10:45pm on Eleven Sports’ La Liga TV channel.
Player to watch…
Luka Modric: The Croatian broke Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s dominance over the Ballon d’Or by claiming the prize on Monday evening in Paris. The 33-year-old stated that the award capped a very special year for him, but Santiago Solari will need similar performances from Modric that saw him claim the award as Real Madrid look to get themselves back in contention in the title race. He delivered such a performance last weekend by helping a young midfield overwhelm Valencia, but that has been a rare sight for the Madrid faithful so far this campaign.
Form guide…
Huesca: DLDLLL
Real Madrid: WWLWWW
Odds…
Huesca to win: 15/2
Real Madrid to win: 3/10
Draw: 23/5
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
32 minutes
Bale is at the centre of another dangerous Real attack. He drives to the byline and cuts the ball back in the direction of Modric, who would have had an easy finish had the ball not been nodded away by Pulido.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
36 minutes
The wind is causing problems for both sides, an issue that Real are not used to. They've had the better of things over the last ten minutes, but Huesca have held their own. They're certainly not out of this one yet.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
39 minutes
Ceballos is the second Real player to go into the book for what is deemed a late challenge. Seems a harsh decision by referee Mario Lopez.
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
42 minutes
Now Huesca have a player booked. Etxeita sees yellow for a late challenge on Bale. The game has lost some of its tempo as half time approaches. The hosts will probably be happy, at this point, to go in just the one goal down
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
45 minutes
Huesca look to launch one last first half attack, as Gomez breaks forward. There's not enough on his pass, though, and nothing comes of it.
Half time: The referee brings the first half to a close. Bale's volley after eight minutes has given Real Madrid the lead, although they haven't always convinced. The wind will be in Huesca's favour after the break, and they'll be hopeful of getting something from this.
Both teams are back out onto the pitch, ready to brave the wind once again. The second half is imminent...
Real Madrid get us going again. Can they see off this plucky Huesca side?
Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid
47 minutes
Huge chance for Huesca moments after kick off. Ferreiro fires in a cross from the left and it's attacked by Melero, whose header looks certain to find the net. Somehow, though, his effort goes wide. That could be a costly miss.
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