Real Madrid vs. Sporting: Goals, Highlights from the 2015/16 La Liga Match

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid hosted Sporting Gijon on Sunday, looking to close the gap at the top of the La Liga table before title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid next played.

It had been an eventful week for Los Blancos, and Zidane was looking to end it on a high note, handing Karim Benzema his 300th appearance for the side.

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Karim Benzema is making his 300th appearance for Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/tHyPVCv42b

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) January 17, 2016"

It didn't take long for the home side to take the lead, with Gareth Bale nodding in from a corner to score his 11th goal in eight games after just seven minutes.

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GOOOOOOOOOL DE GARETH BALE @realmadrid 1-0 @realsporting al minuto 7' #LigaBBVA #RMAvRSG pic.twitter.com/LAet1Kw1GY

— Locos Por El Futbol (@LocosPorElFut13) January 17, 2016"

Fast-forward 60 seconds, and Cristiano Ronaldo had scored a fine finish on the turn to double the advantage.

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What a CRACK RONALDO!! 2-0 HALA MADRID pic.twitter.com/yG4OcXvVBB

— SRMvines (@SRMvines) January 17, 2016"

Then, just three minutes later, Madrid's dominance continued with Benzema hooking home an acrobatic finish from a Bale cross to make it 3-0 after just 12 minutes.

And when Ronaldo tapped home Madrid's fourth after just 18 minutes, the home fans were starting to reminisce about December's 10-2 win over Rayo Vallecano.

And Benzema made sure the home side went into the break with five goals, tapping home after Isco's brilliant work to set up the goal.

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Carvajal brilliant again! Isco does the diSCO & Benzema's brace makes it Real Madrid's 5th of the night @ 40mins! pic.twitter.com/RPtEY1TLO6

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) January 17, 2016"

Shortly after the re-start, where Bale was substituted due to injury, Ronaldo seemed to lash out at one of his opponents.

And then Sporting pulled one back on the hour through Isma Lopez.

But there was to be no further goalmouth action, with the visitors' improved second half performance little more than consolation in a 5-1 defeat.

For Real Madrid, the result moves them provisionally above Barcelona into second place, still one point behind cross-town rivals Atletico.

[Twitter]