Eden Hazard scored in his first start for Real Madrid this season as the La Liga champions easily dispatched Huesca 4-1 on Saturday.
The Belgian was making his first start of the 2020/21 season after being hampered by persistent injury problems. However, he made it a remarkable one when he broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the area.
The goal also marked only his second goal for Madrid since he made a switch from Chelsea in 2019 and his first in 392 days.
The Belgian forward made a cameo on Tuesday as a late substitute in a 2-2 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League – his first minutes since July – and justified his start with a fine strike to set Madrid on their way to ending a two-game home losing streak.
Madrid soon extended their lead in added time of the first half through Karim Benzema, who fired home inside the far post before setting up Federico Valverde for Real’s third in the 54th minute.
David Ferreiro pulled a goal back for Huesca but Benzema rounded off a classy overall display by Madrid to make it 4 when he headed home from close range in added time.
Real Madrid have now moved back above Real Sociedad at the summit of the Spanish top division, while Huesca remain winless since their promotion to the top flight.
Alaves 1-1 Barcelona: Neto with an embarrassing blunder as Barca drew against 10-man Alaves
Barcelona has now failed to win for the fourth successive La Liga game after they couldn’t find a way past 10-man Alaves.
The hosts took a surprise lead when Brazilian keeper, Neto, was dispossessed by Luis Rioja to slot into an empty net.
Alaves were then reduced to 10 men after midfielder Jota was handed a second yellow card in the 62nd minute for his rash challenge on Gerard Pique.
Antoine Griezmann got Barcelona level a minute later but they could not find a winner.
Ansu Fati, who missed a sitter very early in the first half, was denied a goal on his 18th birthday by Fernando Pacheco’s excellent save, while Griezmann had a goal ruled out.
Pacheco put in a heroic display to frustrate Barca with a plethora of saves to keep out Lionel Messi, Miralem Pjanic and Sergino Dest.
Barcelona now trail leaders Real Madrid by eight points in La Liga after dropping 10 points in six games.
“We are very angry because we really wanted the three points and we have to improve a lot,” says Griezmann.
“We are missing a lot of chances, me more than anyone, but it’s still early in the season and I know we’re going to get better.”
Osasuna 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Joao Felix caps an impressive week with a brace while Lucas Torreira scores his first goal in Atleti colours
Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix scored a brace despite losing a penalty as Atletico Madrid beat Osasuna 3-1 away on Saturday making it a third consecutive La Liga victory for them.
The Portugal striker gave his side the lead at the end of the first half from the penalty spot, but then smashed a second spot-kick at the start of the second period on the bottom left side of the post.
Felix, however, made amends for his miss as he scored Atleti’s second, blasting into the top corner to complete a sensational counter-attack and score for the fourth time in two games, after his double in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over RB Salzburg.
Osasuna managed to pull one back with a header from substitute Ante Budimir with 10 minutes to go as they mounted a comeback. However, Atletico soaked up the pressure well and clinched the points with a late strike from Lucas Torreira.
Other Saturday results: Spanish La Liga
- Real Madrid 4-1 SD Huesca
- Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Sevilla
- Osasuna 1-3 Atletico Madrid
- Alaves 1-1 Barcelona
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