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Ceballos brings Real's La Liga campaign back on track

This was only Madrid’s third win in six rounds of the La Liga this season.

Dani Ceballos

Bengaluru, September 24: Lal Liga champions Real Madrid scored their third away win from as many matches after beaing Alaves 2-1 on Saturday.

Dani Ceballos scored twice in his first start for the champions to earn them a much-needed win.

The win came three days after Madrid lost at home to Real Betis 0-. This was only Madrid's third win in six rounds.

Ceballos struck in the 10th minute and restored the defending champions' advantage two minutes before halftime.

The winless Alaves almost leveled late when substitute Alfonso Pedraza twice hit the woodwork.

"I am happy for (Ceballos). He played very well, and besides the two goals he helped us a lot," coach Zinedine Zidane said. "He showed that he has a place on this team."

Ceballos received a pass from Marco Asensio, fought through a tackle, and shot just inside the post for the opener.

Manu Garcia responded by ending Alaves' long scoring drought. His powerful header from a cross by Munir El Haddadi was the Basque Country club's first goal of the season.

But Ceballos put Madrid back in charge when he fired in a ball that goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco spilled when he collided with a teammate while defending a cross.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the goal-frame twice in the second half as the Madrid forward seeks his first goal in the league after he was suspended for the first four rounds for pushing a referee.

With Toni Kroos injured, Ceballos took the place of regular starter Luka Modric, who Zidane rested ahead of the trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Madrid was also without the injured Karim Benzema and Marcelo, while Gareth Bale was left on the bench.

Story first published: Sunday, September 24, 2017, 0:58 [IST]
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