Alaves 1-4 Real Madrid: Eden Hazard stars

Hazard played only 65 minutes against Alaves games.

Although, Eden Hazard’s best hour in a Real Madrid shirt as Carlo Ancelotti’s side got off to a wining start in La Liga.

They beat Alaves 4-1 and it was the former Chelsea man shining up front alongside a rejuventated Gareth Bale and two-goal Karim Benzema.

There were just three minutes into the second half when Benzema scored his first goal of the season from Hazard’s sublime flick after Lucas Vazquez had crossed from Bale’s long pass – Real Madrid’s new trident all involved in the opening goal.

It was classic Ancelotti preferring experience over youth in his team selection. Hazard

Bale and Benzema on from the start and Vinicius Junior

Rodrygo and Marco Asensio all watching from the bench.

Ancelotti also opted not to play young full back Miguel Gutierrez and that meant new signing David Alaba played at full-back and Nacho in the centre of defence.

It was the outstanding Nacho who got the second goal and Hazard was involved again with a clever short

corner that involved Fede Valverde and Luka Modric who played the final ball into the box.

The cross was deflected but Nacho read it well and stretched to convert it.

Benzema almost got a third from another deft touch from Hazard but he was not to to be denied his brace.

Fede Valverde steamed down the right and at the second attempt Benzema shot past Pacheco to make it three.

Alaves pulled a goal back when Thibaut Courtois brought down substitute John Gudetti after Eder Militao had failed to steer the ball back to his keeper.

Joselu slammed home the penalty to make it 3-1.

Alaves had looked like taking far more from the game in the first half

frustrating for Real Madrid. Far from sitting back and allowing the visitors to come at them they were on the front foot.

Joselu headed over and Luis Rioja flashed a shot wide.

Hazard had Real Madrid’s first effort and Bale had two shots that went wide but it was predictable from Ancelotti’s

team and Alaves were soon back on the attack with Joselu’s shot blocked by Nacho.

Benzema sent a shot wide and a curling cross from Alaba was almost turned in by Hazard

However, he could not get his shot away after bringing the ball down on his chest.

Manu Garcia was lively for Alaves playing just behind Joselu but he was booked for a rash challenge on Benzema.

The half ended with Edgar and Rioja causing more problems for Real Madrid.

First Edgar broke and crossed for Rioja to lob over with shouts for a handball against Lucas.

He then skipped away from Lucas but pulled his shot wide.

After the underwhelming first 45 Ancelotti’s half time team talk worked the trick and his veteran front three put Alaves to the sword.

Vinicius and Rodrygo came on late-on for Hazard and Bale and one mazy run

from the former ended with him crossing inside the six–yard box but there was no one to finish.

Madrid were not to be denied their big win. Alaba crossed and Vinicius converted to make it 4-1.

It was all smiles from the Brazilians and from Ancelotti’s veterans.

He had given the old guard the nod in his team selection, and they had nodded back.