Benzema Bags Hat-Trick On Real's Bernabeu Return
Karim Benzema bagged a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Celta Vigo 5-2 on their return to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo
Date: 12 September 2021
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Los Blancos made three changes from the side that edged past Real Betis, as Eden Hazard, Luka Modric and Nacho replaced Gareth Bale, Isco and David Alaba in the line-up, as the iconic Santiago Bernabeu was reopened with fans inside the stadium for the first time in 18 months.
Carlos Ancelotti's charges had a bad start after going behind in the fourth minute, as they lost possession in a dangerous area, which led to Iago Aspas picking out Santi Mina, who fired past Thibaut Courtois.
Celta were a huge threat on counter-attacks but Madrid managed to level matters in the 24th minute courtesy of a volleyed strike by Benzema after a cut-back by Federico Valverde.
Franco Cervi eventually restored Celta's lead seven minutes later with an exquisite back-heel that came off the post and ricocheted off his body, into the back of the net after a cross by Hugo Mallo.
Madrid kept clicking into gear going forward and Benzema thought he had equalised again just before the break with a tap-in from a header but the goal was chalked off for offside on Casemiro.
Things fell into place for Los Blancos just just from the half-time break, as Benzema made it 2-2 within a minute with a looping header over goalkeeper Matias Dituro after getting on the end of Miguel Gutierrez's cross..
With Celta playing a high line, Vinicius Junior gave Madrid the lead for the first time 10 minutes into the second half with a composed low finish past Dituro after a through ball by Benzema.
Ancellotti finally called new signing, Eduardo Camavinga for his highly anticipated debut in the 66th minute in place of Hazard and the 18-year-old made his mark just six minutes in with a close-range finish after Modric's initial effort was saved.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the last four minutes after Vinicius Junior was fouled inside the box, which allowed Benzema to step up and complete his hat-trick.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
