Real Madrid 3 – Almeria 0 match report: James Rodriguez leads Los Blancos to victory

Real Madrid moved back within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona as they managed to beat Almeria 3-0 despite suffering in the first half.

Almeria exerted a high pressure on Los Blancos and were close to taking the lead, but James Rodriguez rocket to open the score inspired the hosts to the victory. An own goal from Mauro Dos Santos and another Alvaro Arbeloa effort sealed the win.

Los Merengues dominated at the start and were close to taking the lead after four minutes as Arbeloa picked out the head of James from the right, but his shot was wide of the post.

Ronaldo almost scored in a corner kick three minutes later, but header clearer the bar. Yet Almeria could have upset the hosts following a superb play from Thomas, who created space and slid a pass into Dubarbier. However, the Argentinian completely missed the target.

The visitors became more incisive in those minutes and Los Blancos struggled to get things going in the final third. Nevertheless, James Rodriguez would make it 1-0 one minute before the break as he hammered an impressive volley into the top corner.

The game turned very comfortable for Real at the start of the second half as they doubled their lead after four minutes. Toni Kroos sent a low cross into the box and Mauro Dos Santos accidentally turned it into his own net.

Arbeloa sealed the victory with six minutes to go. Chicharito Hernandez curled a brilliant low cross towards the back post and the Spaniard tapped it into the back of the net for his first goal in five years.