Playing in La Liga is the dream, but Real Madrid were the alarm clock today as their clinical finishing punished CD Tenerife 3-0 in the Bernabeu. The first half was one of the most disciplined displays seen from a CDT team in years, the half time whistles from the crowd were sweet music to the visitors as they outplayed the Galacticos and held them to 0-0, but it’s all about goals.

Would the Tenerife defence hold up to the free scoring league leaders? well for the first half they did more than hold their own, full backs Bellvis and Bertran were even able to push up and support the attack. Cristiano Ronaldo went down after 5 minutes, the first of 6 yellow cards for CDT but Drenthe was the main irritant, drawing a booking for Bertran and later clattering into him causing him to give way injured with Sicilia replacing him.

Kome (pic) was playing wider on the left and making some useful headway, Richi forced a good save with a low shot after 14 minutes, and just after a lovely flowing move ended with Bellvis shooting just wide of the Madrid goal. Sergio Aragoneses looked commanding in goal, racing out to deny Ronaldo and then making a fine one handed save from Raul. Tenerife made some great build up play, Mikel Alonso, Roman and Kome all impressing, but too often the last touch wasn’t there.

Benzema came on for Madrid in the second half and made an imediate impact, his header for the opening goal looked to be offside but still stood. Kome set up Alfaro for a chance to level but he shot over, Madrid started to look menacing and Tenerife lost some momentum. Aragonoses denied Ronaldo again after 4 Tenerife players stood off him, but with Benzema shining, Martinez half hearted tackle was not enough to stop him from picking his spot to make it 2-0.

Spain goalie Casillas made a rare mistake, only getting one hand to a Tenerife shot, teeing it up for Nino but the out of form striker couldn’t capitalise. There was no stopping the 3rd goal, Kaka found himself in space and wafted it into the net leaving 3 defenders stranded. The scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game, but Tenerife are having to learn that missed chances will come back to bite them in La Liga.