Hazard shines as Real Madrid go top with win over Eibar
Eden Hazard inspired Real Madrid to a comprehensive 4-0 away win over Eibar, sending the capital club top of La Liga at least until Barcelona’s game against Celta Vigo later on Saturday night.
Rodrygo was dropped to the bench after his hat-trickm heroics in the Champions League during the week, but the Brazilian teenager wasn’t missed as Zinedine Zidane’s side claimed an impressive victory.
It took the away side just 17 minutes to make the breakthrough at Iperua, with Karim Benzema finding the back of the net from a tight angle after Luka Modric and Fede Valverde had forced an initial save from Mark Dmitrovic.
The Eibar goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his net again just two minutes later, with Sergio Ramos scoring from the spot after Hazard was felled inside the box, and when Real Madrid were awarded a second penalty kick with Lucas Vazquez was fouled, it was Benzema who converted from 12 yards out, sending Dmitrovic the wrong way.
Valverde added his name to the score sheet with a guided finish from 18 yards out after being set up nicely by Modric, capping the scoreline at 4-0 with Real Madrid turning in one of their best displays of the season so far.
This result lifts Real Madrid to top spot in the La Liga table on 25 points after Real Sociedad’s draw at home to Leganes on Friday night and with Barcelona still to play Celta Vigo at Balaidos later on Saturday evening.
The 1-0 defeat to Real Mallorca before the last international break left Real Madrid in a bad way. It was speculated that, at that point, one more adverse result would have been enough for Zidane to be sacked. Since then, though, Real Madrid have built some momentum. They are playing well and this was another illustration of how they are starting to click under Zidane. This might be the start of something.
The Belgian has been placed under intense scrutiny since making the £100 million move from Chelsea in the summer. Indeed, Hazard has been questioned at every turn, but this was his best performance to date in a Real Madrid shirt. This was more like the player who ripped the Premier League to shreds for a number of years. Eibar couldn’t cope with Hazard. He must aim to replicate this display on a more consistent basis.