European champions Real Madrid beat Cadiz to close up the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points heading into the break for the World Cup. Eder Militao put Real Madrid ahead when he headed in from Toni Kroos’ free-kick, with the goal given after a video assistant referee check for offside.
Toni Kroos then doubled the hosts’ lead in the 70th minute of the game with a spectacular volley from outside the penalty area. Lucaz Perez pulled one back for Cadiz late on but it was not enough to initiate a comeback for the visitors.
After 14 matches of the La Liga season, Barcelona has 37 points with Real at 35, while third-placed Real Sociedad is nine behind Real with 26 points. The defeat leaves Cadiz 19th in the table and the relegation zone.
There are no more La Liga matches until after the World Cup in Qatar, with the Spanish league season resuming on 31 December.