Real Madrid one step away from league title

La Liga leaders Real Madrid faced Cadiz at home. The Madrid side emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.

National footballer Arda Güler, who is in his first year at Real Madrid and has begun to earn playing time after recovering from injuries sustained in the first half of the season, started in the first 11 for the first time in front of his home fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Playing in the starting lineup for the second time after last week's Real Sociedad match in the league, Arda was replaced by Jude Bellingham in the 66th minute.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti made 10 changes to his starting 11 compared to their recent Champions League semi-final match against Bayern Munich, with only defender Nacho retaining his spot.

The biggest development for Real Madrid was the return of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to the starting 11, following an injury that kept him sidelined for approximately 9 months.

In the match, which ended 0-0 in the first half, the goals that secured the win for the Whites came from Brahim Diaz (Min. 51), Bellingham (Min. 68), who found the net one minute after replacing Arda Güler, and Joselu (Min. 90+3) in stoppage time.

Increasing their points tally to 87, Real Madrid will be declared champions with 4 weeks remaining if Barcelona fails to win in tonight's Girona-Barcelona match.

If Barcelona, currently on 73 points, wins their match, Real Madrid will secure their 36th league title if they win their away game against Granada next week.

Madrid fans began celebrating their team's success this season towards the end of the Cadiz match with chants of "champion, champion."

Meanwhile, Cadiz, with 26 points, remains in 18th place, in the relegation zone.

News Source: AA