Hazard Celebrates First 2021 Goal For Real Madrid

Eden Hazard nets first Laliga goal since October to earn crucial win in Zidane’s absence.

EDEN HAZARD and Real Madrid got a weight off their mind as he bagged his first goal since October in a vital victory – despite manager Zinedine Zidane’s absence.

Under-fire Hazard struck for only the second time this season as Karim Benzema’s double helped Real cut the lead on LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid to four points, albeit having played twice more.

Assistant boss David Bettoni took charge as Zidane stayed away after testing positive for Covid-19.

But Real still settled quickly, Casemiro nodding home a cross from Toni Kroos on 15 minutes.

French striker Benzema then dipped a sizzling top-corner second goal in the 42nd minute following Hazard’s neat backheel.

And having earlier curled a shot wide, Hazard made it three with a delicate finish past Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco just before the break.

Joselu flashed a superb header beyond Real No1 Thibaut Courtois to give the lowly home side hope.

But Benzema safeguarded only Real’s second triumph in six matches, cutting in from the left with 20 minutes remaining to thump home.

Victory soothed painful memories of Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat at third-division Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey, as well as Real’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final loss to Athletic Bilbao by the same scoreline on January 14.

And Benzema insisted: “This was a great performance from us and will lift our confidence