There was another penalty and another VAR decision that went their way, but Real Madrid will point to both being correct, and to the fact that their 2-0 win over Alaves takes them to within just two more wins of the league title.
Sergio Ramos watched from the stands of the Alfredo di Stefano stadium as Karim Benzema stepped up to take the spot kick in his absence.
He sent Roberto Jimenez the wrong way to score the opening goal after Ferland Mendy had been tripped just inside the box by Ximo Navarro.
This was, on paper, Real Madrid’s easiest game of the run-in but they did have to beat free-falling Alaves without their captain, without first choice Dani Carvajal – who watched alongside Ramos – and the injured Marcelo.
The Brazilian’s replacement Mendy was man of the first half and almost forced a second goal when Victor Camarasa nearly inadvertently turned his cross past his own keeper.
Oliver Burke was lively for Alaves who had winger Lucas filling in at right back but Madrid led at the break. Their rivals had lost their last five games and sacked their coach last weekend. They are now just three points above relegation.
Madrid were two-up five minutes into the second half although they had to wait for VAR to give the goal.
Rodrygo Goes slipped the ball through to Benzema and he unselfishly teed-up Marco Asensio who scored. Benzema was given offside but he had been played on by Victor Laguardia, and the decision was corrected.
It was fourth official Hector Rodriguez who conversed with VAR and drew the imaginary TV screen in the sky having switched with the injured Jesus Gil Manzano at half time.
Thibaut Courtois saved from Joselu but Madrid stayed on top and both Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo had the chance to make it 3-0.
Eden Hazard came on for the last 10 minutes backing-up his coach Zinedine Zidane’s claims on Thursday that the Belgium international has not had a reoccurrence of his right ankle problems.
He replaced Asensio who just four months ago thought he would be watching the run-in from sidelines still recovering from knee surgery. His goal was the second he has scored since his return.
Madrid now go to Granada and then host Villarreal before the last game of the season away to Leganes.
They could now take the title with a win and two draws in their remaining three matches. Barcelona play Saturday against Valladolid but time is running out for the leaders to slip as Barça coach Quique Setien has always insisted they would.
Zidane’s team have won eight straight, and not consisted in any of their last five games.
They are turning the title race into a procession of comfortable victories. Santi Cazorla’s Villarreal might trouble them in the penultimate match. But such is their advantage, Madrid could lose that one and still win the league.
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