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As it happenedended

Gareth Bale breaks goal drought as Real Madrid see off Huesca

Callum Rice-Coates
Sunday 09 December 2018 13:49 GMT
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Gareth Bale celebrates putting Real Madrid in front
Gareth Bale celebrates putting Real Madrid in front (Reuters)

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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

Full time: That's it. Real hold on despite Huesca's late chances. Bale's early goal is enough to send them into fourth, five points off Barcelona at the summit.

Callum Rice-Coates9 December 2018 17:05

That was a valiant effort from Huesca, who can consider themselves unfortunate to have lost. A draw, and perhaps even a win, would not have flattered them. In the end, missed chances proved costly, and the quality of Gareth Bale at the other end was enough to secure victory for Real.

Huesca stay seven points off safety, rooted to the bottom of the table, but this was an encouraging and commendable performance.

Callum Rice-Coates9 December 2018 17:08

For Real, it's job done in difficult conditions. They weren't convincing and looked some way off their best, but Solari will be happy that his side showed some resilience. That they kept a clean sheet away from home will be particularly pleasing for the Argentine coach.

Callum Rice-Coates9 December 2018 17:12

That's it for our coverage of today's La Liga action, as Real Madrid close the gap at the top. 

I'll be back later on for live coverage of the Copa Libertadores final, though, so join me for that. Thanks!

Callum Rice-Coates9 December 2018 17:22

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