Isco helps Real up to third

Real Madrid midfielder Isco made up for the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo by guiding his heavily-rotated side to a 2-1 win at basement club Malaga yesterday which lifted them above Valencia to third in La Liga.

Real’s Isco curled in a fizzing free kick in the 29th minute but did not celebrate against his hometown club.

The Spain international then provided the final pass of an exquisite team move for Casemiro to tap in the second in the 64th minute. Diego Rolan scored for Malaga. Real coach Zinedine Zidane rested many players after Thursday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with Juventus, which his side lost 3-1 but advanced to the semis 4-3 on aggregate.

The Frenchman left top scorer Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane at home and put Marcelo and Toni Kroos on the bench.

Atletico Madrid moved back to within 11 points of runaway leaders Barcelona yesterday by comfortably beating Levante 3-0 at home as Angel Correa, Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres were all on target.

Atletico’s veteran striker Torres was given a rousing reception when he came off the bench to make his first appearance the Wanda Metropolitano stadium since announcing he will leave the club at the end of the season.

He got an even bigger cheer when he volleyed in his 100th La Liga goal in the 77th minute. — AAP