Rodrygo, Bellingham help Madrid beat Cadiz to take La Liga summit

Real Madrid surged to the summit of La Liga on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Cadiz. The standout performance came from the exceptional Rodrygo, whose first-half brace propelled Los Blancos to an early advantage. Jude Bellingham, making a return from injury, secured the third goal, adding a touch of brilliance to an overall polished team performance.

Having missed Madrid’s previous two matches due to a shoulder injury that also kept him out of England’s recent Euro 2024 qualifiers, the 20-year-old Bellingham displayed no signs of discomfort in a stellar man-of-the-match performance. The English talent played a pivotal role in setting up Rodrygo’s second goal and capped off the display with a precise left-footed strike.

This outcome temporarily places Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, displacing Girona, who is set to host Athletic Bilbao on Monday evening. The resounding victory on Sunday positions Madrid favorably for their crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Napoli on Wednesday.

Despite glimpses of initiative, Cadiz finds themselves in 16th place after the defeat. The Andalusian side showed promise in an open match but lacked the clinical edge of their more illustrious opponents in the attacking third. Although Brian Ocampo did manage to force a sharp late save from Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

With this result, Cadiz remains just two points above the relegation zone. Nevertheless, their expansive playing style, as evidenced in this match, could prove sufficient to secure their top-flight status by the end of the season.