Eden Hazard scored his first goal in about 3 months, while Karim Benzema scored a double to easily
win Real Madrid 4-1 at Alaves in the Spanish Football League, Saturday, in the absence of coach Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane hit Covid-19 one day before the match and his assistant David Bitoni took over in his place and
Real Madrid started strong when Casemiro opened the goals with a header in the 15th minute after a cross
from Toni Kroos.
Benzema fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the goal in the 41st minute after a brilliant heel pass from
Hazard, who then scored his second goal of the season and the first since hitting Huesca on October 31 to cement
Real Madrid’s advantage before the end of the first half.
Former Real Madrid youth player Joselo reduced the lead in favor of Alaves in the 59th minute with a header
from a free kick, but Benzema sealed the victory for his second-placed team after a singles kick in the 70th minute.
The victory eased the pain of a shocking 2-1 defeat by Alquiano of the third division in the King’s Cup,
in addition to the loss against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup and raised Real Madrid’s balance
to 40 points, reducing the difference with leaders Atletico Madrid to 4 points.
There are two more matches remaining for coach Diego Simeone’s team and he can extend the lead again
at the top to 7 points when they face Valencia on Sunday.
“It was a great performance on our part and it will boost our confidence,” Benzema said after his team had
only won their second victory in the last 6 matches in all competitions.
“We realize that every game is difficult, and we always try to provide the best performance, but sometimes
it is difficult when the teams defend from their penalty area. But today the goals poured in and this is a good
thing for everyone, especially after the week we went through.”
