With two goals in Real Madrid’s easy 3-0 victory against Cadiz on Sunday, Rodrygo sent the team to the temporary top of La Liga.
Jude Bellingham, the highest scorer in La Liga with 11 goals so far this season, was assisted by the Brazilian winger on his second goal.
Madrid moved one point ahead of Girona, who will visit Athletic Bilbao on Monday in an attempt to take back the top spot.
After Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, Carlo Ancelotti’s team gained four more points over third-place Atletico Madrid and fourth-place opponents Barcelona.
Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga sustained long-term injuries over the past two weeks, joining Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines. This struck a serious blow to Madrid.
Even still, Madrid won easily, something they do not take for granted following the international break, especially with such a severely injured team.
Ancelotti told reporters, “The players understood that very well. Sometimes difficulty is just more motivation.”
“All of our absentees are key players, but we handled it well, and the team performed admirably.”
Toni Kroos was started in defensive midfield by the Italian coach, who also included veteran playmaker Luka Modric, who was making just his fifth start in La Liga.
Bellingham also made a comeback following a shoulder injury that kept him out of two league games and England’s Euro qualifiers.
After 14 minutes, Rodrygo dribbled across the penalty box and curled a stunning strike into the top right corner, giving Madrid the lead. Madrid dominated the first few minutes of play.
The Brazilian had a difficult season to score goals, but Ancelotti never gave up on him. With Vincius out, the Brazilian will be essential to Madrid in the upcoming weeks.
Rodrygo has returned.
With his goals, Rodrygo has now scored in three straight games for the first time since joining the team in 2019.
Ancelotti declared, “Rodrygo is back—he made the difference today.”
During an open first half, Cadiz also had opportunities; Roger Marti’s valiant shot was saved by Andriy Lunin, and Chris Ramos headed over before Rodrygo’s opening goal.
After Rodrygo dribbled around Cadiz goalkeeper Conan Ledesma early in the second half, Madrid should have extended their lead, but Joselu left it to him to finish, and he left it for the seasoned striker as the ball ran out of play.
But Rodrygo scored his second goal shortly after, gliding into the area from thirty yards out and scoring another excellent strike.
Following Maxi Gomez’s failed opportunity for the hosts, Bellingham’s third goal was set up by the inspirational Rodrygo, and the England international finished with a neat low finish across goal with his left foot.
Ancelotti pulled out both goal scorers after the game, giving rookie attacker Gonzalo Garcia his start.
Garcia, 19, said to Real Madrid TV, “I’m grateful and happy. I’ve been a Real Madrid fan since I was little and I’ve dreamed of playing with the first team.”
“I’ll have my teammates sign it, and I’ll keep the shirt.”
The lone setback for Madrid was when Modric left the game due to what Ancelotti acknowledged to be a physical overload.
Wednesday is Madrid’s Champions League matchup against Napoli. The team has already advanced out of its group, but they still want to win the championship.
Earlier on Sunday, Jose Luis Morales’ hat-trick helped Villarreal defeat Osasuna 3-1 as Marcelino Garcia Toral triumphed 3-0 in his La Liga managerial debut with the team.
Real Sociedad defeated Sevilla 2-1, with Sergio Ramos and Jesus Navas receiving red cards.