Hazard And Benzema Bring Madrid Roll Alaves 4-1

Luka Modric and Karim Benzema (Twitter @realmadriden)

JAKARTA - Eden Hazard scored his first goal in almost three months while Karim Benzema scored two goals in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Alaves in a La Liga match that was not attended by coach Zinedine Zidane, Sunday.

Zidane tested positive for COVID-19 the day before this match, so assistant David Bettoni took his place in the team. Madrid came under pressure from the start and Casemiro scored after heading in Toni Kroos' cross in the 15th minute.

Benzema curled his way into the top corner of the opponent's goal in the 41st minute after receiving an assist with a pass from Hazard's heel.

Hazard himself then scored his second goal of the season which was also his first goal since against Huesca on October 13, to further widen Los Merengues' lead before the break.

Former Madrid youth Joselu hit back for Alaves in the 59th minute with a free-kick headbutt, but Benzema sealed victory for Real who were second in the table with a goal that was preceded by a captivating solo action in the second minute. 70.

The win eased Los Blancos' pain after being beaten 1-2 by third division Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey, apart from losing the Spanish Super Cup to Athletic Bilbao. Madrid has now collected 40 points so that it is getting closer to the leaders of Atletico Madrid by now four points.

⚽👊 VAMOS! 💪Back to Madrid with all 3⃣ points! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ER8SS5Y7EF

- Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 23, 2021

Diego Simeone's side have saved two more games. They can restore a seven-point lead at the top of the standings if they beat Valencia tomorrow morning.

"This is our extraordinary performance and will increase our confidence," said Benzema as quoted by Antara from Reuters. Real recorded their second win in their last six matches in all competitions.

"We know every game is difficult, we always try to give our best performance but sometimes it is difficult if the team is totally defended. But today the goals were flowing smoothly and it was good for everyone, especially after the week we have missed."