Toni Kroos back with a bang as Real Madrid see off plucky Cádiz | OneFootball

Toni Kroos returned from suspension to brilliant effect with a typically class performance in Real Madrid’s routine victory over Cádiz on Thursday.

Scorers: Militao 40′, Kroos 70′; Pérez 81′

The hosts were slow out of blocks at the Santiago Bernabéu as the hangover from Monday’s defeat at Rayo Vallecano lingered.

Los Blancos were lucky not to fall behind early on when Cádiz left-back Alfonso Espino’s effort came back off the woodwork.

The nerves were finally eased for the home crowd five minutes before the break when Éder Militão nodded home a beautiful whipped cross from Toni Kroos.

And Kroos further atoned for his red card against Girona with a fierce volley from outside the area to seemingly wrap up the points 20 minutes from time.

Madrid should have been out of sight when Luka Modrić somehow contrived to miss a sitter after being set up superbly by Vinícius Jr.

Cádiz made the game interesting again moments later when Lucas Pérez blasted past Thibaut Courtois despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts after Modrić coughed up possession in midfield.

Espino had a glorious chance to level in stoppage time but his header cleared both Courtois and the crossbar.

Madrid just about managed to hold on to move back within two points of Barcelona at the top of the table as LaLiga goes into stasis for the World Cup.

Defeat leaves Cádiz rooted inside the relegation zone.