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Eden Hazard scored an impressive shot from long range and Karim Benzema grabbed a double as Real Madrid beat Huesca 4-1 in La Liga on Saturday.
The visitors looked dangerous from the start when striker Rafa Mir fired wide, while Hazard found the ceiling of the net with an impromptu move and Sergio Ramos had a header while standing. Hazard opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a deflected left foot and Karim Benzema doubled Madrid’s lead before the break.
Highlights
- Hazard scores Madrid’s first goal in 392 days in victory
Madrid dominated more and more as the match progressed, Fede Valverde scored a third when Benzema spotted him in space. Huesca’s David Ferreiro retired a goal and Benzema added a quarter from close range at the end.
Positive
Hazard started out slowly, looking a bit rusty, but came to life with his aim. After 392 days without finding the Real Madrid network, it was a way of announcing his return to the starting eleven.
Injuries have meant that Zinedine Zidane would never before have been able to deploy what is theoretically his first-choice attacking trio – Hazard, Benzema and Marco Asensio – in a competitive match. Here, two of the three scored, although Asensio is still a work in progress.
The dispute over Benzema’s alleged criticism of Vinicius was also forgotten, with the French forward scoring twice and the young Brazilian coming off the bench. In particular, the pair sought to exchange passes more than once during their time together on the field.
Negative
Once again, the Real Madrid defense seemed much more vulnerable here than coach Zidane would like. Huesca’s number 9 Rafa Mir, a youth prospect who was once highly rated but not exactly a top-tier forward, gave Eder Militao and Sergio Ramos all kinds of first-half trouble. Furthermore, Madrid’s struggles to bring down a packed defense from the bottom also continued here. It was just a wonderful goal from Hazard that broke the deadlock.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – Zinedine Zidane made four changes from the team that drew 2-2 in Germany in the middle of the week. Eder Militao and Marcelo came on defense, Luka Modric replaced Toni Kroos in midfield and Eden Hazard made his first season start in attack.
Militao and Marcelo do not inspire confidence in the rear, but in the end it was a good afternoon for Zidane’s team. His first change was forced, Mendy replacing Lucas Vázquez, before the manager could give Hazard, Asensio, Valverde and Casemiro a break before more Champions League action midweek.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 6 – As Huesca threatened, they only produced two shots on goal. Courtois couldn’t do anything about his goal.
DF Lucas Vázquez, 7 – Zidane’s favorite right-back with Dani Carvajal, Álvaro Odriozola and Nacho absent. He grabbed an assist, crossing for Benzema to make it 2-0. Suppressed with a bang after 50 minutes.
DF Eder Militao, 6 – His first start since the defensive show against Shakhtar in which Madrid conceded three goals in 13 minutes. Tested by Rafa Mir’s pace and strength at all times, beaten in a foot race early on and pushed to the ground by the striker before the break.
DF Sergio Ramos, 7 – His 500th game in La Liga. He had a good header in the first half, and otherwise looked good without standing out.
DF Marcelo, 7 – There’s no question the team looks weaker defensively when the Brazilian replaces Mendy. Madrid’s four league defeats since the start of last season have come with Marcelo at the side. It provided some dangerous crossovers here, but was once again found to be lacking in the back.
Benzema, on the left, and Hazard, on the right, were on the mark and fit when Real took a big win. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images
MF Casemiro, 7 – Solid. The Brazilian is often so noticeable in his absence, and it was hard to ignore the fact that when he left here, Huesca scored soon after.
MF Fede Valverde, 8 – He fired an unstoppable low shot past Fernández for Madrid’s third goal to finish the match like a contest, and also received an assist. It has been getting better and better and consequently more difficult to put aside in recent weeks.
MF Luka Modric, 7 – He started here and contributed a busy performance after coming off the bench to great effect against Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach. The only midfielder to play the 90 minutes.
FW Marco Asensio, 6 – Very calm early in the game to the point of being anonymous, but improved before being retired after an hour. Involved in the preparation of Madrid’s third goal.
FW Eden Hazard, 8 – Played 60 minutes in his first start since August, following an encouraging 20-minute cameo midweek. Nominally to the left, but frequently swapped places with Benzema. He scored an absolutely impressive goal.
FW Karim Benzema, 9 – He seemed unfazed by the dispute over his alleged criticism of Vinicius. He scored a well-scored goal, controlling with his chest before shooting Fernández, selected Valverde for Madrid’s third, and then scored a poacher’s shot to the death.
Substitutes
DF Ferland Mendy, 7 – He played 40 minutes as a right back and impressed.
FW Vinicius Junior, 6 – He entered and immediately embarked on a labyrinthine run that ended up setting Benzema up for a foul, when a goal would have provided the perfect closure to this week’s uproar.
FW Rodrygo, 8 – He hasn’t been around much lately, but he looks lively right here. One good run set Isco ready and another saw his own save shot. He did well to prepare Benzema for his second.
MF Isco, 7 – His first appearance since being eliminated at halftime against Cádiz. Some good skill moments. He couldn’t convert when Rodrygo found him at the nearby post.
MF Toni Kroos, 6 – Replaced Casemiro at the end of the week with Inter midweek in mind.
Source: espn.co.uk
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