Ishaq Mustafa
Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Alaves in their La Liga opener as Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Bale returned to the club.
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Bale, back from a loan spell at Tottenham, was in former Everton boss Ancelotti’s first starting XI.
Eden Hazard set up Benzema’s opener with a nice flick and Nacho doubled the lead with a volley.
Benzema scored again and Joselu slotted a penalty for Alaves before Vinicius Jr scored a late fourth for Real.
David Alaba made his Real debut at left-back after his free-transfer move from Bayern Munich – and set up that late Vinicius goal.
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Real laboured in the first half but cruised after the break, with Hazard looking in good shape following the fitness problems that have plagued his time at Madrid so far.
A backheel pass by the Belgium playmaker for Benzema’s opener in particular was outstanding.
Bale’s Real Madrid career looks revived after the appointment of Ancelotti, having struggled to get in Zinedine Zidane’s team before going to Spurs for a year. His previous Real game was against Mallorca in June 2020.
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Line-ups
Alavés
Formation 4-2-3-1
1
Pacheco
21
Aguirregabiria
5
Laguardia
22
Lejeune
3
Duarte
8
Pina
20
Pons
11
Rioja
14
García Alonso
17
Méndez
9
Joselu
1Pacheco
21Aguirregabiria
5Laguardia
22Lejeune
3Duarte
8PinaSubstituted forMoyaat 82’minutes
20PonsSubstituted forLoumat 59’minutes
11RiojaSubstituted forPellistriat 68’minutes
14García AlonsoBooked at 35minsSubstituted forGuidettiat 59’minutes
17MéndezSubstituted forMartínat 68’minutes
9Joselu
Substitutes
2Rodríguez
6Loum
7Pérez
10Guidetti
12García
13Sivera
15Moya
18Pellistri
19Martín
26Abqar
27López
29Hara
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
1
Courtois
17
Vázquez
3
Militão
6
Nacho
4
Alaba
15
Valverde
14
Casemiro
10
Modric
18
Bale
9
Benzema
7
E Hazard
1CourtoisBooked at 64mins
17Vázquez
3Militão
6Nacho
4Alaba
15ValverdeSubstituted forIscoat 88’minutes
14Casemiro
10ModricSubstituted forAsensioat 88’minutes
18BaleBooked at 53minsSubstituted forRodrygoat 68’minutes
9BenzemaSubstituted forJovicat 89’minutes
7E HazardSubstituted forVinícius Júniorat 66’minutes
Substitutes
11Asensio
13Lunin
16Jovic
19Odriozola
20Vinícius Júnior
21Rodrygo
22Isco
27Blanco
35Gutiérrez
40Fuidias
Referee:César Soto Grado
Attendance:
3,968
