Real Madrid vs. Leganes: Score and Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match

Real Madrid moved five points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday, as two goals from Gareth Bale helped them to a 3-0 win over Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

After being frustrated for much of the first period, Bale netted twice in the seven minutes before the break to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Real were in total control in the second period, and Alvaro Morata made the game safe with a third in the 77th minute.

The early stages saw the hosts dominate possession and pin back the promoted side for long spells. However, the incision you’d expect from a Madrid side at the Bernabeu was lacking.

In the opening 30 minutes, there were a couple of moments when Real threatened to break through, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s runs from deep causing a few problems for Leganes. But the visitors' goalkeeper, Jon Ander Serantes, was relatively untroubled between the sticks.

ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan summed up the fractured nature of Madrid’s attacking play early in the game and noted the frustrations of the home side:

However, with so much individual quality in the side, Real were able to break the deadlock. And it was another surging run in behind that did the damage, with Bale latching on to Isco’s pinpoint pass.

Serantes did get a touch on the ball as two converged, but the Welshman eventually rounded him and tucked home from a tight angle.

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After conceding the opener, Leganes’ previously unbending focus dwindled and Real’s attackers had a lot more freedom. Sensing blood, the home side was able to effectively end the contest before the break, with Bale again adding the finishing touch.

This time, the former Tottenham Hotspur man was quickest to react after a set-piece scramble, prodding home and prompting the referee to immediately whistle for half-time. As highlighted by Squawka Football, it’s been quite the week for Bale:

Real returned to the pitch with renewed impetus in the second period, with Serantes twice saving to deny Bale his hat-trick. 

While they didn't net a third goal before the hour mark, one of the biggest cheers of the day came in the 62nd minute, as manager Zinedine Zidane introduced the returning Luka Modric into the game; he'd been out since September through injury.

Per Phil Kitromilides of Real Madrid TV, the Madristas were delighted to see their midfield metronome back on the field:

The early momentum Real built up in the second half gradually seeped away, with the game plunging back into a lull. However, Leganes' Alexander Szymanowski almost gave the home side a scare, as he broke through and stung the palms of Keylor Navas.

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The effort seemed to spark Madrid back into life, and they opened up Leganes not long after with real panache. Toni Kroos was able to thread a delicate ball into Morata, who rode a challenge before finishing emphatically. Corrigan noted that he's excelled since returning to the club from Juventus in the summer:

As the clock ticked down, Madrid had chances to net a fourth, although they seemed content to keep the ball and see the game out. 

Madrid were slow off the blocks in this one, and frustration was starting to build among the supporters. Bale’s opener, as a result, set a crucial platform for what was eventually a comfortable afternoon. All eyes will be on Barcelona later on Sunday, as the Catalans seek to move back to within two points of the top with a win at Sevilla.

Under Zidane, Madrid are still searching for a defined identity, and for much of this game, they were far from their fluid best. However, Los Blancos are unbeaten, top of the table and, in Bale, they have one of European football’s most in-form forward players. They look the team to beat in Spain's top flight.

Post-Match Reaction

Afterward, Zidane discussed a new deal for Ronaldo, insisting the Portuguese wants to retire at Madrid:

Leganes boss Asier Garitano spoke of how difficult it can be coming up against Madrid and noted that he was wary of passes from deep, such as the one which led to the opening goal: