The BBC is back on the air and other things learned after Real Madrid batter Alaves

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his opener with Gareth Bale

    Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were on the scoresheet as Real Madrid continued their impressive form with a 4-0 victory over Alaves.

    Ronaldo took his 2018 goal tally to 12 with a brace either side of a cool finish from Bale.

    The Madrid captain could have completed his hat-trick after Bale won a last-minute penalty, but instead allowed Benzema to take the kick and fire home.

    Here, we examine three things learned from the win at the Bernabeu.

    VAZQUEZ COULD GO TO THE WORLD CUP

    Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Lucas Vazquez

    Real Madrid’s Spanish midfielder Lucas Vazquez

    Can you guess which Real Madrid player is the first to reach 10 assists in all competitions this season? Ronaldo? Nope. Benzema? Guess again.

    It is, of course, Lucas Vazquez after the 26-year-old grabbed his 10th of the campaign by calmly setting up Ronaldo for the captain’s second.

    He’s now been involved in 17 goals this season and he is more than repaying the faith invested in him by boss Zinedine Zidane.

    And the Frenchman was keen to highlight Vazquez’s performance post-match – rightly so because he was involved in every area of the game. Arguably no other player benefits from the 4-4-2 as Vazquez does.

    Defensively he showed tremendous work-rate, in midfield he recycled possession well and then in the attacking phases linked-up superbly with the BBC.

    In his last 10 starts he’s scored five times and added a further six assists, adding real depth of quality to Real’s right.

    He’s not flashy, which is why his quality can go a little unnoticed, but regardless it’s been a phenomenal 2018 for him.

    Continue this run of form and he’s a shout to get a spot on Spain’s plane for the World Cup this summer.

    BBC IS BACK ON THE AIR

    The BBC celebrate against Alaves

    The BBC celebrate against Alaves

    Madrid are the first team to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season and it was appropriate they reached that mark through their deadly BBC trio.

    All three attacking assets were superb against Alaves. Benzema’s form in front of goal is rightly derided because four goals in 19 league games is a pitiful mark for a Madrid No9.

    But you can see why Zidane continues to put his faith in the Frenchman because he’s such a good passing striker.

    His seven key passes were the most in the game and he added two assists, the first of which was a sumptuous take in and flick to Ronaldo.

    The captain, incidentally, deserves praise of his own. When the 33-year-old drops deep he is a truly elite playmaker. As the second striker he created chances, drifted wide and then scored two goals with predatory instincts.

    Ronaldo should have had a 50th career hat-trick as well but with the grace of a genuine leader, he sacrificed the opportunity to gift Benzema a deserved goal from the penalty spot.

    And Bale must not be forgotten either. He shredded the Alaves defence with every drive forward and his crosses were a real threat.

    The Welshman coming through 90 minutes unscathed will be music to the ears of Madrid fans. As will the BBC all scoring.

    NAVAS IS WORLD’S MOST UNDERRATED KEEPER

    Keylor Navas? Not anymore, it’s simply KeyLord. The Costa Rica goalkeeper might just be the world’s most underappreciated goalkeeper.

    In the face of rumours of a recruitment drive for one of Manchester United’s David De Gea and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, Navas continues to be an outstanding No1.

    You genuinely have to wonder whether Madrid would even be in La Liga’s top three without his crucial interventions.

    There is a reason why Zidane is so determined for Navas to remain his No1 and he showed why with his first-half display.

    Alaves were a threat on the counter, particularly in the aftermath of Real corners and he made three excellent saves – the most he’s made in a first half at the Bernabeu this season.

    Madrid should have gone into the break at least a goal down but like always, they had Navas to thank for giving a foundation for victory.

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