On Saturday, four matches of the 18th round were played in the Spanish "Primera" division.
Madrid's "Real" played their first match of 2015 at the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium. The hosts left no hope for Barcelona's "Espanyol" team with a score of 3-0.
The Royals took the lead in the 12th minute, when James Rodriguez scored after a great pass from Cristiano Ronaldo. And in the 28th minute, Gareth Bale scored a wonderful penalty kick.
The second half started off very poorly for the "Real" club, as they were reduced to ten men in the 53rd minute. After a clash with an opponent, Fabio Coentrao lay on the ground, but the referee was not convinced and soon showed the Portuguese a red card.
Nevertheless, this did not stop the "Whites" from scoring another goal and securing an easy victory. In the 76th minute, Alvaro Arbeloa made a successful pass from the right flank to Nacho, who had just come on as a substitute.
After the win, "Real" gained a four-point advantage over the closest pursuer, "Barcelona," and is still one game ahead.
In other matches, "Villarreal" drew with "Malaga" 1-1 and Celta Vigo with Valencia also drew 1-1.
Results:
"Real Madrid" 3 - 0 "Espanyol"
12' [1 - 0] J.Rodriguez
28' [2 - 0] G.Bale
76' [3 - 0] Nacho
53' F.Coentrao ("Real Madrid") sent off
"Malaga" 1 - 1 "Villarreal"
45' [0 - 1] J.dos Santos
60' [1 - 1] N.Amrabat
"Celta" 1 - 1 "Valencia"
43' [0 - 1] Rodrigo
61' [1 - 1] F.Orellana
28' F.Orellana ("Celta") missed a penalty kick
"Eibar" ? - ? "Getafe"
Standings:
