Real Madrid Marks Bernabeu Return With Victory Against Celta
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick as they marked their return to the famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium with an emphatic 5-2 comeback victory against Celta Vigo in the Spanish La Liga.
The La Liga giants started with Benzema and Eden hazard up front, with Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr. supporting on the flanks. Santi Mina and Iago Aspas lead the line for Celta and were looking to cause an upset in Bernabeu.
However, in Real’s first game at their home ground in over a year the crowd were stunned when Santi Mina latched onto a defensive mistake to put the visitors ahead after four minutes.
Madrid recovered well and the pressure eventually told after 24 minutes as Benzema equalised with his first goal following a Valverde cutback. However, Madrid were behind again after a swift counter-attack from Celta. Nacho made an error again and Franco Cervi buried the chance to send Celta ahead just before the break.
Madrid equalised 40 seconds into the second half after Miguel Gutierrez floated a cross from the right and Benzmea headed it past goalkeeper Dituro.
In the 54th minute, Benzema’s perfect ball over the top found Vinicius Jr. who cooly slotted the ball past Dituro to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side a 3-2 lead.
Courtois immediately had to make a double save from Iago Aspas and Augusto Solari as Celta were looking for a way back into the game. But with Vinicius Jr. in inspired form, Madrid looked to have more goals in them.
New signing Eduardo Camavinga came off the bench to score on his debut as the France midfielder tucked the ball home from close range, before Benzema completed his hat-trick with a penalty three minutes from time to make the score 5-2.
Madrid still have defensive issues but with the form of Benzema and Vinicius Jr., they have more than enough goals to play their way out of any situation in La Liga.
Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga with 10 points from 4 games, level on points with Valencia and rivals Atletico Madrid. Celta Vigo are in 18th place on the log with 1 point from 4 games.
La Liga results
Espanyol 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Osasuna 1-4 Valencia
Cadiz 0-2 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo
Chidi Nwoke/La Liga.
