Toni Kroos scored a superb volley and assisted another goal as Real Madrid moved within two points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona by beating Cadiz 2-1 in their final match before the World Cup break.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffered their first loss of the top-flight season at Rayo Vallecano on Monday but returned to winning ways with a much-improved showing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Eder Militao opened the scoring with a first-half header from Kroos’ cross on Thursday, marking the centre-back’s second goal in as many league games.
Kroos’ emphatic second-half strike meant Lucas Perez’s late goal proved irrelevant as Madrid closed the gap on Barca.
Alfonso Espino offered Madrid an early scare as his long-range strike clipped the top of the crossbar, before Federico Valverde fired narrowly wide at the other end.
A frenetic first half continued with tempers flaring for both sides before Militao headed Toni Kroos’ left-wing cross into the bottom-right corner five minutes before half-time.
Thibaut Courtois thwarted Ruben Sobrino from a rare Cadiz chance after the interval, before Kroos powered into the bottom-left corner stylishly from the edge of the area.
Luka Modric inexplicably missed an open goal to add a late third and was punished as Perez pounced on a spilled Courtois save, though Madrid held on for victory.