SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid’s Belgian winger Eden Hazard scored his first goal for more than a year as the La Liga champions eased to a 4-1 win over Huesca.
An obstinate Huesca kept Madrid at bay for much of the first half, although Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, who was making his 500th La Liga appearance, saw a header saved by Huesca’s keeper Andres Fernandez in the 25th minute.
The breakthrough came 40 minutes into the game. It was a moment of pure brilliance from Hazard. The left winger, rolling away from Nigerian central midfielder Kelechi Nwakali’s challenge, blasted a left-footed shot beyond Fernandez from nearly 30 yards out.
French striker Benzema made it two just before the interval. He chested down a deep cross from Spanish right winger Lucas Vazquez before drilling a finish into the bottom-right corner.
At the beginning of the second period, it was Huesca who started positively with the ever present threat of a comeback. That threat did not go past the 53rd minute before it was squashed. With Hazard and Benzema combining superbly down the left, the latter crossed for Uruguayan central midfielder Federico Valverde to hammer home from 12 yards.
Benzema and Isco squandered openings for a fourth before left winger Davis Ferreiro gave Huesca a consolation goal, when he steered a finish past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois from a cross by loanee centre forward Rafa Mir.
However, Benzema had the final word when, at point-blank range, he turned in a header from Brazilian winger Rodrygo.
The victory takes Madrid to the summit of La Liga, two points clear of Real Sociedad after seven games. It also was an impressive return to form for Hazard and Zinedine Zidane’s side as a whole.
THEWILL hopes it will be more of the same in subsequent games for the Spanish champions from Madrid.
Kelechi Nwakali’s Huesca, will have to improve and show some of the grit that won them La Liga 2 and promotion to the top flight as they remain one of just two sides without a LaLiga win this season. They sit 18th on the table after eight games a day before.
Madrid next host Inter in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday before a domestic visit to Mestalla to meet Valencia on Sunday. Huesca have a week off until they host Eibar.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
