Karim Benzema Shines As Real Madrid Beats Alaves
A double from striker Karim Benzema and goals from Nacho and Vinicius Jr. secured Real Madrid’s first three points of the season after a 4-1 victory against Deportivo Alaves in match day 1 of the Spanish La Liga at the Estadio Mendizorroza.
The game kicked off at a blistering pace and the first dangerous moment fell to the home side after six minutes but Rioja’s effort from the edge of the box was safely dealt with by Courtois. Real Madrid responded 11 minutes later, but Hazard’s whipped effort from outside the area failed to find the target.
About halfway through the opening 45 minutes, Carlo Ancelotti’s men began to really take charge of the encounter, with Benzema looking to make their superiority count in the 32nd minute. He brought down Militão’s long pass superbly and unleashed a fierce effort from the edge of the box which flew just wide.
The second half was a different story altogether, with Real Madrid taking the lead almost immediately.
Lucas Vázquez pulled the ball back on 48’ and Hazard’s sublime back-heeled pass found Benzema, whose first-time volleyed finish from on the penalty spot was equally as impressive.
Eight minutes later, Madrid doubled its lead when Modrić crossed with his left and the sliding Nacho turned the ball in with half-an-hour left to play.
Moments later, Madrid extended its lead when Valverde driving run found Benzema, whose initial effort was blocked by the keeper but the Frenchman fired the rebound into the net.
Alavés refused to be defeated and in the 65th minutes, they reduced the deficit when Joselu converted a penalty after Courtois had brought down Guidetti.
Madrid finished the game in style when Vinicius Jr. produced a diving header from a cross by Alaba on his official Madrid debut to make it 4-1.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid hung on to pick up their first three points of the new La Liga campaign. The Italian coach got his second stint in charge of Real Madrid off to the perfect start thanks to a dominant second half performance.
Karim Benzema picked up where he left off at the end of last season, scoring twice in addition to goals from Nacho and Vinicius.
Next up, Real madrid will play Levante at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium on Sunday
Other La Liga results
Cadiz 1-1 Levante
Mallorca 1-1 Real Betis
Deportivo Alaves 1-4 Real Madrid
Osasuna 0-0 Espanyol
Chidi Nwoke/Real Madrid.
