Carried by its Brazilian striker Rodrygo, author of a double and an assist, Real Madrid won without forcing in Cadiz (3-0) to provisionally overtake Girona at the top of the Spanish championship during the 14th La Liga day.
The Madrilenians are one point ahead of the Catalans, who welcome Athletic Bilbao on Monday (9:00 p.m.) to try to regain their first place.
They take advantage of Barça’s new misstep, who could not do better than a draw on the lawn of Rayo Vallecano (1-1) on Saturday, to push the Blaugrana (4th, 31 points) back four lengths.
In a contested and rather balanced first half, Real initially trembled against the enterprising Andalusians who created the best chances, forcing Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who replaced the injured Kepa, into two good saves (13th , 39th).
Despite numerous injuries, including Vinicius, Camavinga and Tchouaméni, Madrid responded with coolness from their first opportunity, Rodrygo offering himself a “golazo” by cleaning the opposing right corner (15th, 1-0) after clearing four defenders with some success.
The 22-year-old winger, lacking inspiration and especially goals since the start of the season, scored a second double in two days after another festival (65th, 2-0) to make the break. The Brazilian international then showed himself to be collective by serving the inevitable Jude Bellingham, recovered from his left shoulder injury, who added a third goal (74th, 3-0).
This is the 11th achievement in La Liga for the English prodigy, still top scorer in the championship, and who has now scored 14 goals in 15 matches in all competitions this season, as many as his total at Dortmund over the whole of last season.
Already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Real has a meeting with Naples on Wednesday to ensure they finish in first place in their group. Without a victory for 9 matches, Cádiz tumbles to 16th place.