Real Madrid resumed its winning ways, gaining ground on Barcelona as we enter the World Cup break.

By defeating relegation-threatened Cádiz 2-1 on Thursday, Madrid ended its two-match winless streak in the Spanish league and cut Barcelona's advantage to two points heading into the World Cup break.


Madrid scored a goal in each half through Éder Milito and Toni Kroos.

“These are well-deserved three points to finish the first part of the season well,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Madrid had recently suffered its first league setback of the year, a 3-2 loss at Rayo Vallecano. In the preliminary round, it drew at home with Girona. Madrid's lone other defeat came last month against Leipzig in the Champions League group stage.

Early on in the game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, there were physical altercations between the players of Cadiz and Vincius Jnior and Rodrygo. Vincius was particularly irate in the first half after what appeared to be a punch by Cádiz defender Fali away from the ball.


“We can't get into these altercations because that's what the other team wants us to do,” Kroos said.

In the 40th minute, Kroos sent a precise cross that Militão headed in to start the scoring. In the 70th minute, the German midfielder furthered Madrid's advantage with a spectacular one-timer from outside the box.

“We were in control and created many scoring chances,” Kroos said. “It was a good match.”

The visitors almost tied the score in stoppage time when Pacha Espino's header sailed over the crossbar. Cádiz drew closer with a shot from inside the box by Lucas Perez in the 81st minute.

Against Cadiz, who had won just once in its previous eight games and was sitting in last place among the 20 teams and one point from safety, Madrid had only won one of its previous four league games.

The other two teams in the relegation zone coming into the World Cup break are Sevilla and last-place Elche. Real Sociedad finished third, Athletic Bilbao finished fourth, and Atlético Madrid finished fifth.