Karim Benzema lights up the Santiago Bernabeu on its reopening with a hat-trick and further goals from Vinicius Jr and new boy Eduardo Camavinga on his debut cap off a chaotic evening.
Image Courtesy of RealMadrid.com
The Santiago Bernabeu doors were opened once again and boy did the ticket holders get their money’s worth. Real Madrid gave an all guns blazing performance with goals from Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Camavinga who helped the Los Blancos end the night victorious, after trailing at half-time.
A tumultuous first half saw Real Madrid 2-1 behind at the break after a disappointing performance in the first 45 minutes. Although Real Madrid dominated proceedings playing free-flowing football, it was Celta who went into the break with the lead, after goals from Santi Mina in the 4th minute and Franco Cervi on the 31st minute respectively. Karim Benzema did pull one back for Madrid after Valverde found him with a cross from the right side of the 18 yard box.
After the break with 1 minute on the clock, Benzema got his second of the night with a marvellous looping header; after a pinpoint cross from Miguel Gutiérrez found the Frenchman in the box. On the 54th minute Madrid had scored again after great work from Benzema slipped in Vinicius Jr who raced in on goal, composed him self, opened his body up and slotted a composed low finish into the far corner with this right foot. A finish which would have eluded him last season, but the young Brazilian now has 4 goals in 4 games already this season. Vinicius was intrumental in the 4th goal too as he earned the team a penalty after great work on the right side, he skipped between two defenders, one who took him down. The referee pointed to the spot and Benzema made no mistake in scoring, to complete his hat-trick. The frenchman is yet to miss a penalty for Real Madrid.
Benzema’s French compatriot Eduardo Camavinga came on in the 66th minute, for Eden Hazard who himself looked sharp, and showed glimpses of brilliance. However, Camavinga stole the headlines, as 6 minutes later he scored on his debut. Luka Modric was some brilliant dribbling, found himself in the box; he opted for his trademark outside of the foot finish, but the goalie was equal to it. However, Camavinga pounced on the rebound to the delight of everyone and he was not going to miss from close range, with nothing in his way.
Karim Benzema wrapped up the evenings scoring on the 87th minute. It was Vinicius Jr who was instrumental once again, as he earned the team a penalty with great dribbling on the right side. He skipped between two defenders; one who took him down. The referee pointed to the spot and Benzema made no mistake in scoring, to complete his hat-trick and make the score 5-2. The Frenchman is yet to miss a penalty for Real Madrid.
After the game Ancelotti said ‘We showed our quality up top. We have to improve defensively, which let us down’. Real Madrid showed their clinical side in the second half of proceedings, but their are obvious holes in the defence that Carlo Ancelotti takes note of. Their attacking prowess will mask their defensive shortcomings and tougher tests await the Los Blancos. This was however a perfect way to reopen their colosseum, which was built for enthralling games such as these. Real Madrid play Inter Milan this coming Wednesday in the Champions League, lets hope the San Siro can host a few goals too.
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