Rodrygo Keeps Real Madrid Clear Of Barcelona, Girona Boost European Dream

Rodrygo fired La Liga leaders Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao with a superb brace on Sunday to restore their eight-point advantage on Barcelona. Earlier Cristhian Stuani's last-gasp strike earned Girona an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Betis, keeping the minnows on track for Champions League qualification. After champions Barca, second, beat Las Palmas on Saturday to put pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's side, Los Blancos responded with a solid showing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Without suspended Brazil forward Vinicius Junior, his compatriot Rodrygo made the difference with two superb strikes against an Athletic with one eye on next weekend's Copa del Rey final against Mallorca.

Los Leones coach Ernesto Valverde rested goalkeeper Unai Simon and defender Dani Vivian, along with Nico Williams, who had a minor muscular issue.

Defeat leaves fifth place Atletico Madrid able to rise above Athletic in fourth on Monday when they visit Villarreal.

Madrid, whose next match is Manchester City's visit on April 9 in the Champions League quarter-finals, enjoyed a comfortable night thanks to Rodrygo.

"He played very well, he made the difference, he was able to score early, he has a lot of quality in his moves, it's what he has to do," Ancelotti told reporters.

Ancelotti said he was not concerned that Rodrygo, who had only netted once in his last 13 matches across all competitions, was inconsistent in front of goal.

"There are very isolated cases of forwards who score all the time, like (Karim) Benzema or Cristiano (Ronaldo)," continued the Italian.

"With experience Rodrygo will improve in that aspect, he's still young and plays with a lot of intensity, and sometimes because of that youth I ask him to do a lot of work, so