Real Madrid 3 Las Palmas 0: Marco Asensio’s cracker lights up Real victory as they move eight points behind leaders Barcelona
No rocket this fireworks night will have matched the Spanish midfielder's - with Casemiro and Isco also netting in a comfortable La Liga win for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co
NO rocket this fireworks night will have matched Marco Asensio's for Real Madrid.
The European champions ignited their otherwise modest display with three crackers - Casemiro's firm header, a long-range thunderbolt from Asensio and Isco's perfect team goal.
Third-placed Real are still eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga and their Sunday opponents Las Palmas showed why they are second bottom.
But Asensio in particular transformed the mood around the Bernabeu with his stunner.
Zinedine Zidane's men were well below their best before the interval.
But Karim Benzema missed a gaping chance on four minutes and Cristiano Ronaldo wasted two decent opportunities.
But Real still deserved their 41st minute opener, Casemiro rising to nod home a deflected corner.
Asensio then put the hosts in command with a left-foot laser into the top corner following a half-clearance 11 minutes after the break.
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Isco rammed home Ronaldo's perfect cross to complete a slightly flattering victory.
And Ronaldo blazed high when Fifa's recently-crowned world player of the year would have expected to score nine times out of ten.
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