Real Madrid moved to within one point of second-placed Atletico Madrid in La Liga courtesy of a 3-0 win over struggling Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
Gareth Bale netted twice for the Spanish champions, while Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet against a Las Palmas side that remain rooted inside the relegation zone.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Gran Canaria as struggling Las Palmas welcome the Spanish champions Real Madrid. The Canary islanders are in desperate need of the points as they look to escape the bottom three, but it will be a tough ask against Zinedine Zidane's side, who are closing on second-placed Atletico Madrid. Stay tuned for live coverage!
Las Palmas actually held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw when the pair met in Gran Canaria last term. That said, goals from Casemiro, Marco Asensio and Isco gave Real Madrid a 3-0 victory when the two teams locked horns at the Bernabeu earlier this season. Las Palmas have only ever beaten Real Madrid once in La Liga – a 4-2 success on home soil during the 2001-02 campaign.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Real Madrid have had a number of players away on international duty, but Las Palmas have kept the bulk of their squad togather. Let's run through the two teams that will start this La Liga affair...
TEAMS!
LAS PALMAS: Chichizola; Michel, Ximo, Galvez, Aguirregaray; Vicente, J. Castellano; Momo, Aquilani, Halilovic; Calleri
REAL MADRID: Navas; Nacho, Varane, Vallejo, Theo; Modric, Casemiro, Asensio; Lucas, Benzema, Bale
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has left out a number of first-team players with more than one eye on the club's Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Juventus on Tuesday night. Indeed, there is no Cristiano Ronaldo, while Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Toni Kroos are also left out, which hands opportunities to the likes of Jesus Vallejo and Theo Hernandez. Gareth Bale is in the Real Madrid XI.
Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez has made just the one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Deportivo La Coruna before the international break, and that comes at the back as fit-again Alejandro Galvez replaces David Garcia. Alen Halilovic keeps his spot after scoring against Deportivo, while Alberto Aquilani will again support Jonathan Callleri in a central position.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 15 minutes from kickoff in Gran Canaria. Las Palmas picked up a point at Deportivo before the international break, but they are still bang in trouble. Indeed, a total of 21 points from 29 matches has left them in 18th spot in the table, and they are currently seven points behind 17th-placed Levante.
Las Palmas have only won five La Liga matches all season – the last of which came against Malaga at the start of February. That said, Paco Jemez's side did hold Barcelona in this stadium as recent as March 1, and there will looking to take advantage of the fact that Real Madrid have had a number of players away on international duty over the last couple of weeks, and are missing key men here.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, beat Girona 6-3 just before the international break. Since losing 1-0 at Espanyol on February 27, Zidane's side have beaten Getafe, Eibar and Girona in the league. They are still third in the table, but a win here would move them to within one point of second-placed Atletico.
It is a huge next few weeks for Real Madrid when considering that they will travel to Juventus on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, before welcoming Atletico to the Bernabeu in the league next weekend. Zidane's side will then host Juventus in the second leg of their last-eight affair as they bid to reach the quarter-finals once again. A big few weeks indeed!
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Gran Canaria. Can Las Palmas boost their survival hopes with a big win? Stay tuned right here to find out!
KICKOFF! Las Palmas kick things off on home soil...
... far from a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere, and it is a beautiful early evening in Gran Canaria. You do get the feeling that Las Palmas need to start well here.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the opening four minutes, but Real Madrid have been pressing high up the field, and Las Palmas do not look comfortable in possession.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Bale has the ball in the back of the Las Palmas net, but the offside flag is raised. Does Bale's selection here mean that he will not start against Juventus next week?
CLOSE! Calleri strikes one from just outside the Real Madrid box, and the Las Palmas forward sees the ball just miss the post! Good work from the former West Ham United striker.
There is very much an open feel to this match at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third of the field. Las Palmas appear to fancy their chances of hurting Real Madrid here.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Lucas is fouled by Aguirregaray...
... Bale strikes straight into the Las Palmas wall.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with Real Madrid struggling to get going in the final third of the field. Benzema has just had a little dribble outside the Las Palmas box, only to run into traffic. Still goalless with 11 minutes on the clock here.
SAVE! Navas has to be alert to keep out a strike from Halilovic!
SAVE! Real Madrid's best chance of the first period falls to Benzema as the striker is fed by Asensio inside the Las Palmas box, but Chichizola makes a smart save!
Still goalless with 16 minutes on the clock, but both teams have had good chances to make the breakthrough in Gran Canaria, with Las Palmas continuing to commit players forward.
Halilovic strikes one from outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The home side are very much on the front foot here as Los Blancos drop into a deep shape.
This does not look great for Aquilani as the Las Palmas kicks the ball out before dropping to the ground. It could well be the ball he just took in the face, or something more serious.
Real Madrid continue to look vulnerable at the back as Las Palmas find space in wide positions. You do get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
SAVE! Big chance for the away side to take the lead as Asensio is fed in a dangerous position, but the attacker cannot find a route past Chichizola, who makes a really smart save. The move started when Benzema raced clear of two Las Palmas defenders down the left.
CHANCE! Momo fires wide of the Real Madrid post following really good work between the Las Palmas winger and Calleri in the final third of the field. Chances at both ends.
GOAL! Las Palmas 0-1 Real Madrid (Bale)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 26th minute as Bale races onto a wonderful pass from Modric before finding the far corner of the net with a brilliant finish!
REAL MADRID SUB! Hakimi replaces Nacho, who does not look right here.
Las Palmas continue to commit players in the final third of the field, but you have to worry for the Canary islanders down the other end due to Real Madrid's pace and power on the counter-attack. No word on what has happened to Nacho, but surely it was an enforced change for Zidane.
Theo and Navarro are both down following a collision down Real Madrid's left. Nacho, meanwhile, looks distraught on the bench. It appears that he might have rolled his ankle. No confirmation though.
Not too much to report in terms of chances since Real Madrid took the lead, but there is still an awful lot of space behind the Las Palmas defence, which Bale has already exploited here.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid are awarded a penalty as Lucas goes to ground under a rash challenge from Calleri.
GOAL! Las Palmas 0-2 Real Madrid (Benzema, pen)
Benzema sends his penalty into the bottom corner for 2-0 Real Madrid.
Las Palmas are in a hole, and it could get worse as Real Madrid continue to pick holes here.
Theo is fortunate to escape a yellow card for a rash challenge on Galvez, who had stepped across to make the challenge. It must be said that the first half of this La Liga clash has flown past.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the first period.
BOOKING! Galvez (Las Palmas) is booked for chopping Theo to the deck.
That was actually really close to being another penalty for Real Madrid, and Theo felt the full force of the challenge as he stays on the deck. This could be the final action of the first period.
The resulting free kick from Modric is straight into the arms of Chichizola.
HALF-TIME: Las Palmas 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Las Palmas 2-0 courtesy of goals from Bale and Benzema. Bale sent the visitors ahead in the 26th minute with a super finish, before Benzema netted from the penalty spot 12 minutes later.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid only just shaded the first-half possession with 55%, but they managed eight attempts - four of which were on target. Las Palmas, meanwhile, only hit the target with one of their four attempts in the first period. Two bookings to report - Momo and Galvez for the home side.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have already been forced into a change here - Hakimi taking the place of Nacho, who looked to be injured, but that is unconfirmed. Kovacic, Llorente and Mayoral are among those that will be hoping to see some minutes for the visitors in the second 45 minutes. Las Palmas boss Jemez, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Ezekiel, Ramirez and Simon.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... LAS PALMAS SUBS! Jairo and Erik replace Vicente and Michel.
Las Palmas did create a number of openings in the first period, and it would certainly be game on if they managed to halve the deficit. Real Madrid, however, will be looking to score a third as soon as possible to make sure of all the points ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Juventus.
Easily save for Navas to keep out a low strike from Halilovic.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
BOOKING! Ximo (Las Palmas) is booked for fouling Bale inside the box!
GOAL! Las Palmas 0-3 Real Madrid (Bale, pen)
Bale fires the ball down the middle to send Real Madrid 3-0 ahead here.
Las Palmas could take an absolute hiding here if they are not careful. The home side have had their moments going forward, but they are just so incredibly open in a defensive position.
Las Palmas are absolutely all over the place at the back, and Benzema comes close to being found by Theo as Real Madrid continue to commit players in the final third of the field.
We are entering the stage of the match where Zidane will be considering changes. If Bale is to start against Juventus on Tuesday then surely the Welshman will be withdrawn in the coming minutes.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and not too much is happening at the moment as Real Madrid keep hold of the ball without really forcing the issue. Las Palmas have had some bright moments tonight, but they have been so open at the back once again, which has been an issue all season.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid to score a fourth as Benzema drives into the Las Palmas box before sliding a pass into Bale, but the Welshman is taken too wide!
REAL MADRID SUBS! Modric and Casemiro are replaced by Llorente and Kovacic.
Las Palmas want a penalty as Calleri clashes with Varane inside the Real Madrid box, but the referee is not interested. Still 3-0 to the away side with little over 25 minutes to play here.
Just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid would move them to within one point of second-placed Atletico. Las Palmas, meanwhile, would remain rooted inside the relegation zone as things stand. It does appear that the Canary islanders are heading back to the second tier of Spanish football.
SAVE! Incredible save from the Las Palmas goalkeeper as he manages to keep out a close-range Benzema effort! The ball then bounces back to the striker before dropping wide.
CHANCE! Navas gives the ball away inside his own box, but Exposito smashes the ball over the crossbar! Big chance for the home side to get their name on the scoresheet.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match, especially with Benzema, Bale, Lucas and Asensio still on the field. Las Palmas remain all over the place at the back here.
Las Palmas are seeing more of the ball as we approach the final 15 minutes of action.
Las Palmas will be keen to give their supporters something to cheer in the final 15 minutes of action. They are going to lose this match, but a goal would at least give the fans some joy.
CLOSE! Calleri just misses the Real Madrid crossbar with a clever header!
Calleri's header actually took a little nick off the top of the crossbar!
Bale sends one just wide of the Las Palmas post after cutting inside before attempting to find the far corner of the net. The Welshman will be desperate to complete his hat-trick late on here.
Bale has another half-chance as he drives into the Las Palmas box, but Castellano does well to make the challenge, and Chichizola can collect. Still a good 10 minutes of football to play here.
Las Palmas are threatening Real Madrid at the moment as they continue to work space in wide areas. A half-chance arrives when the ball falls for Calleri, but his effort is too high.
LAS PALMAS SUB! Momo is replaced by Ezekiel.
Las Palmas make good ground down the left, but their latest attack comes to an end when Kovacic makes the challenge. Time is running out if Bale is going to complete his hat-trick in Gran Canaria.
Theo races clear down the left - showing stunning pace in the process - before looking to find Bale, but the weight on the pass is too strong. That could have been the treble for Bale.
Galvez fires a long-range free kick for Las Palmas high and wide.
FULL-TIME: Las Palmas 0-3 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 3-0 winners over Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage of the action below. Until next time!
