The plan was for the Brazilian to come off the bench after the journey back from South America, but illness reshaped the starting XI. Brahim Diaz was pushed into the lineup earlier than expected, and Goes stepped into a starring role in Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side.
Real Madrid sealed a 3-0 victory over Cadiz, a result that temporarily places them atop the La Liga table. The mood in the squad felt buoyant despite a few recent blows, including the injury losses of Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Junior during the international window and the sidelining of Brahim Diaz shortly after kick-off. Still, the team delivered a composed performance at the Nuevo Mirandilla that caught the eye and contributed to a crucial three points.
The scoring was led by Rodrygo, who found the net twice, while Jude Bellingham continued to demonstrate why he has become a focal point in the team’s attack, adding another goal to his young yet prolific season tally. Cadiz began with visible drive, pressing high and trying to unsettle Madrid early, but once Rodrygo struck in the first 15 minutes, the balance shifted noticeably. The hosts found it harder to sustain that early intensity as the visitors adjusted, tightened their shape, and controlled the tempo for the majority of the match. As the minutes wore on, Cadiz looked more reactive than proactive, with Madrid exploiting the spaces that opened up and maintaining momentum as the contest progressed toward its end.
With three points in the bag, Madrid rise to 35 points for the campaign, briefly taking top spot until Monday’s fixtures could reshape the standings, particularly with Girona and Athletic Bilbao locking horns in a match that promises to influence the table’s upper echelons. The result reinforces Madrid’s ability to adapt under pressure and to manage disruptions across the squad while maintaining a strong goal difference and a clear sense of direction in attack.
Going forward, the coaching staff will assess the impact of the interrupted preparations and the injury list while keeping faith in the depth that has supported the club throughout the season. The upcoming schedule will demand consistency across domestic competitions and attention to the demands of Europe if Madrid are to translate this early-season momentum into a sustained challenge for trophies.
In this context, the Madrid players can take heart from the balance shown against Cadiz. The team secured a neat, controlled performance, crafted through patient buildup, smart pressing, and clinical finishing when opportunities appeared. The reminder is simple: even with setbacks, the squad has enough quality and breadth to navigate a season that tests every tier of their depth and resolve. (Goal)