Real Madrid celebrated their 36th La Liga title in style beating Alaves 5-0 at home on Tuesday night.
In a very open game the result flattered Real with Thibaut Courtous making ten saves in all to deny the visiting side.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with his 19th of the season, bringing him within one of league leading scorer Artem Dovbyk, albeit in fortuitous circumstances when a miss-hit cross drifted inside the far post.
The hosts scored twice more before half time with Vinicius Junior netting from close range and Fede Valverde arrowing an effort inside the top right corner.
Bellingham laid on the fourth for Vinicius Junior and then Rodrygo’s deflected effort ran into the path of substitute Arda Guler who made no mistake.
Real now lie 17 points clear at the top of the table, Alaves are back in 11th.
Talking Point – Courtois looks ready for final
For the third game in succession, Thibaut Courtois played a full 90 minutes and this display suggests he is ready to take his place in the Champions League final.
After suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury two days before the start of the season, Courtois has been in a race against time to get back for the business end of the 2023/24 season and the European Championships for Belgium.
His hopes were hindered by suffering a meniscus injury which required minor surgery last month, but has shown little sign of rust in returning between the posts.
This game was a definite step forward though, as he made nine stops, including two from close range in the first minute.
The second half saw him particularly tested making a number of fine stops from Ianis Hagi and Samuel Omorodion especially.
It is harsh on Andriy Lunin who has played pretty well in his place during the campaign, but if Courtois is fit – which he certainly seems to be – he has to play.
Player of the Match – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
After his blistering start to the campaign, he has been some way off his scyntilating best in recent months. This evening he looked back to his imperious form, leading the game with six key passes including two assists. This performance is a good omen for the final in Wembley and the Euros shortly thereafter.
Player Ratings
Real Madrid: Courtois 9; Carvajal 7, Nacho 7, Eder Militao 7, Mendy 7; Camavinga 8, Kroos 8, Valverde 8; Bellingham 9; Rodrygo 7, Vinicius Junior 8.
Subs: Guler 7, Ceballos 6, Martin 6, Rudiger 6.
Alaves: Jesus Owono 7; Gorosabel 5, Abqar 5, Rafa Marin 6, Ruben Duarte 6; Guevara 6, Blanco 6; Hagi 7, Alex Sola 5, Luis Rioja 5; Samu Omorodion 6.
Subs: Alkain 6, Guridi 6, Tenaglia 7, Panichelli 6, Rebbach 5.
Match Highlights
10′GOAL! REAL MADRID (BELLINGHAM) 1-0 ALAVES! A deep cross from Kroos and it looks like Bellingham was trying to hook the ball back for Carvajal with his left foot but the volley ends up going in off the far post. He is now just one goal off the Pichichi.
27′GOAL! REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JR) 2-0 ALAVES! Bellingham plays in Camavinga inside the right hand side of the area and he takes on his man before squaring for the Brazilian to slot home from six yards out.
45+1′ GOAL! REAL MADRID (VALVERDE) 3-0 ALAVES! A fantastic strike from the Uruguayan midfielder. The ball was squared to him on the edge of the box and he took a touch before firing it just inside the near angle of bar and post.
57′ BRILLIANT TOUCH AND GOOD EFFORT FROM HAGI! He shot low and just inside the post but Courtois got down quickly to parry the shot away.
70′ GOAL! REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JUNIOR) 5-0 ALAVES! Bellingham played the ball to him in the inside right channel and from just outside the corner of the six-yard box he blasted the ball home, through the hands of Owono.
81′ GOAL! REAL MADRID (GULER) 5-0 ALAVES! Rodrygo runs to the edge of the box but sees his effort blocked and the ball then diverts into the path of Guler who fires home first time.
90+1′ COURTOIS WILL NOT BE BEATEN TONIGHT! This time he gets down low to parry a shot from Rioja.