Toni Kroos scored a superb volley and provided the assist for Real Madrid's other goal as Los Blancos moved within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 win over Cadiz.
Carlo Ancelotti's side suffered their first loss of the top-flight season at Rayo Vallecano on Monday but returned to winning ways with a much-improved showing at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final match before the World Cup break.
Eder Militao opened the scoring with a first-half header from Kroos' cross on Thursday, marking the centre-back's second goal in as many league games.
Kroos' emphatic second-half strike meant Lucas Perez's late reply proved irrelevant as Madrid closed the gap on Barca.
A frenetic first half continued with tempers flaring for both sides before Militao headed Kroos' left-wing cross into the bottom-right corner five minutes before halftime.
Thibaut Courtois thwarted Ruben Sobrino from a rare Cadiz chance after the interval, before Kroos powered into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.
Luka Modric missed an open goal to add a late third and was punished as Perez pounced on a spilled Courtois save, though Madrid held on for victory.
Elsewhere, Valencia beat 10-man Real Betis 3-0 at home to end a five-game winless run.
Betis had defender Edgar Gonzalez dismissed for a second yellow on the hour mark, before Andre Almeida, Hugo Guillamon and Justin Kluivert netted to lift Valencia to 10th.
Rayo Vallecano, victors over Real Madrid earlier in the week, drew 0-0 at home to Celta Vigo.