James Rodriguez scores a cracker (Video)

James Rodriguez scored a cracker just before the break to give his side a 2-1 lead against Athletic Bilbao. 

After Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, the visitors quickly responded with an equalizer to tie the game up at 1-1. However, the first half was action-packed and the home side refused to go into the break on level terms.

Colombian star, James Rodriguez, scored a cracker in the 38th minute to give his team their second lead of the opening half.

"GOOOOAL!Take that! @jamesdrodriguez with a cracker to put @realmadriden back on top. #LaLiga https://t.co/DM3rPphwz3— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 13, 2016"

Los Blanocs weren’t done there though, as Toni Kroos doubled his side’s lead just before the break in the 45th minute to send his team into halftime up 3-1.

Real Madrid have been struggling to gain ground on Barcelona in the La Liga table, and are fully aware they cannot let three points slip away. They came into Saturday’s contest playing desperate soccer and it has worked for them thus far.

Rodriguez now has five goals on the season, to go along with his six assists. He has started in the last four consecutive games for Los Blancos, cementing his spot in Zinedine Zidane’s starting eleven.

Kroos’ goal on the other hand, was just his first of the season. However, much like Rodriguez he has become an essential part of Zidane’s squad starting in every game since the Frenchman took over the bench.