Real Madrid moved joint-top of the La Liga standings with a convincing 3-1 win over Eibar at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium on Sunday. Karim Benzema was the star of the show, scoring one goal and providing an assist as the Los Blancos secured a crucial three points on the road.
The match got off to a flying start, with Eibar taking the lead in the 28th minute through a stunning strike from Sergio Álvarez. However, Real Madrid responded quickly, with Benzema scoring the equalizer just five minutes later. The French striker latched onto a through ball from Luka Modrić and slotted it past the Eibar goalkeeper, Marko Dmitrović.
The second half saw Real Madrid take control of the game, with Benzema providing the assist for the team's second goal. The striker's cross found its way to Eden Hazard, who headed the ball past Dmitrović to give Real Madrid the lead. The Belgian winger's goal was his first in La Liga this season, and it marked a significant milestone in his recovery from injury.
Real Madrid sealed the win in the 90th minute, with Luka Modrić scoring a stunning individual goal. The Croatian midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled it past Dmitrović, giving the Eibar goalkeeper no chance. The goal was Modrić's second of the season, and it capped off an impressive performance from the veteran midfielder.
The win sees Real Madrid move joint-top of the La Liga standings, level on points with Barcelona. The two teams will face each other in the upcoming El Clásico, which promises to be an exciting encounter. For now, Real Madrid will be pleased with their performance, which saw them dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.
Benzema was the standout player for Real Madrid, scoring one goal and providing an assist. The French striker has been in impressive form this season, and his goal against Eibar takes his tally to 10 in La Liga. His partnership with Hazard and Gareth Bale is starting to bear fruit, and the trio will be crucial to Real Madrid's title hopes.
Eibar, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the loss, which sees them drop to 16th in the standings. The team has struggled to find consistency this season, and they will need to improve their defensive record if they are to avoid relegation.
In conclusion, Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Eibar was a convincing performance that sees them move joint-top of the La Liga standings. Benzema's goal and assist were the highlights of the match, and the French striker will be crucial to Real Madrid's title hopes. With the El Clásico looming, Real Madrid will be looking to build on this momentum and secure a crucial win over their arch-rivals.
Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid moved joint-top of the La Liga standings with a 3-1 win over Eibar.
Karim Benzema scored one goal and provided an assist in the match.
Eden Hazard scored his first La Liga goal of the season, heading in a cross from Benzema.
Luka Modrić scored a stunning individual goal to seal the win for Real Madrid.
The win sets up an exciting El Clásico encounter between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
La Liga Standings:
Real Madrid - 34 points
Barcelona - 34 points
Sevilla - 31 points
Real Sociedad - 29 points
Athletic Bilbao - 28 points
Note: The standings are subject to change and may not reflect the current standings.