Real Madrid 4 Alaves 0: Gareth Bale scores in 28 seconds of the second half as Cristiano Ronaldo scores two

GARETH Bale scored in just 28 seconds of the second half to continue Real Madrid’s hot streak.

The victory is Real’s fourth straight league victory and moves them to within four points of their neighbours Atletico in second place.

JUAN MEDINA

EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo spent much of the first half limping,  after a heavy challenge by Victor Laguardia.

Bale also went close with a spectacular overhead volley that flew just wide of the visitors’ goal.

Ronaldo however forgot about his injury to put Real ahead a minute before half-time.

The Portuguese superstar turned in the penalty area and fired an instinctive finish inot the bottom corner to break Alaves’ stubborn resistance.

Cristiano Ronaldo performs his trademark celebration

AFP

JUAN MEDINA

Bale then doubled Real’s lead after 28 seconds of the restart.

The flying Welsh winger pounced when Alves lost possession and he raced away down the left to fire his shot past Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco.

Ronaldo scored his second and Real’s third with half an hour to go, finishing from Lucas Vasque’s pass.

Cristiano Ronaldo winces after a crunching challenge from an Alaves defender

JUAN MEDINA

EPA

In the dying moments, Ronaldo spurned the chance to record yet another hat-trick.

Laguardia fouled Bale, and Ronaldo let Benzema score from the penalty spot to complete the route.

Madrid (4-4-2): Keylor Navas, Daniel Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Vazquez, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alaves (4-4-2): Fernando Pacheco, Alexis Ruano, Victor Laguardia, Rodrigo Ely, Ruben Duarte, Hernan Perez, Manu Garcia (Alvaro Medran 62), Daniel Torres, Alfonso Pedraza (Ibai Gomez 62), John Guidetti, Ruben Sobrino.