Toni Kroos scored an impressive volley as Real Madrid beat Cadiz 2-1 to cut the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points on Thursday.
In the last league match before the break for the Qatar World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti's side were playing catch-up on their bitter rivals, who beat Osasuna on Tuesday.
The match threatened to turn ugly at times, with Cadiz repeatedly fouling Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, but Madrid got the points they needed thanks to Eder Militao's header and then Kroos's stunning strike.
Lucas Perez pulled one back for Cadiz in the final stages, ensuring second-place Madrid have not kept a clean sheet at home in La Liga this season and have conceded in seven consecutive league matches.
"We had a good game apart from the last 10 minutes," Kroos told DAZN.
"We had chances but suffered a bit with the goal we conceded unnecessarily. I think we had a good game."
Madrid were without striker Karim Benzema after he was unable to train on Wednesday, but he has been included in France's World Cup squad.
Without the Ballon d'Or winner, Madrid lacked sheen in attack, and perhaps some minds had started to turn to the upcoming tournament in Qatar.
Kroos's hadn't, though, lost focus and with an assist and his goal, he secured the victory for Los Blancos.
