Brilliant Benzema drags shocking Real Madrid past Levante on Hazard’s return

Karim Benzema was in devastating form Saturday as he grabbed a stunning brace against Levante to hand Real Madrid their first home win of the season.

Madrid were excellent in the first half but ridiculously shocking in the second half as Levante launched a near comeback to provide a thrilling finish at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There was a big boost for Zidane and Real Madrid as the manager named summer signing Eden Hazard on the substitute bench for the first time in a La Liga tie. But Le Merengues needed no aid from their Belgian import to run the visitors ragged on a satisfying day for Los Blancos fans.

Real Madrid took a commanding 3-0 lead into the break but the visitors fought back valiantly after the break but Les Merengues were able to finish the job this time to record their first league victory of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A brace from Karim Benzema and a strike from Casemiro before halftime handed Real Madrid complete control of their LaLiga clash against Levante.

It took Zinedine Zidane’s men a little while to find their rhythm but once they got going there was no stopping Real.

Benzema it was who drew first blood, the Frenchman giving the hosts the lead  in the 25th minute when he headed home from Daniel Carvajal’s cross.

The former Lyon striker then notched his second of the afternoon after latching on to a throughball from James Rodriguez before slotting his strike into the left-bottom corner.

Casemiro completed the scoring in the opening period when he converted at the back post from Vinicius Junior’s cross.

https://www.twitter.com/YarigaF/status/1172837959747477504

Four minutes after the break Levante pulled one back as former Real man Borja Mayoral stabbed a low effort past Courtois at the near post.

Benzema was denied his hat trick by the post and then by VAR before Zidane sent Hazard in for his first league appearance for the Whites.

Yet it was the away side that made the next impact. With 15 minutes left, Levante scored again through a Melero header to set up a truly nervy finish as a comeback was evidently on.

But there was to be no late drama as Real Madrid managed to hold on to earn their first maximum points at home.

 

 

 

This post was last modified on September 14, 2019 1:57 pm

Imhons Erons

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

Emmanuel Dennis: Toulouse & Werder Bremen in deadline day talks with Nottingham Forest cast-away

Toulouse and Werder Bremen are in discussions to sign Nottingham Forest forward Emmanuel Dennis as… Read More

3 minutes ago

Sheffield United closing in on deadline day move for Nigerian winger

Four-time Emirates FA Cup winners, Sheffield United, are closing in on a deal for 19-year-old… Read More

6 minutes ago

“He was often injured” – Leverkusen’s Hradecky weighs in on Boniface’s failed Al-Nassr move

Finland and Bayer 04 Leverkusen goalkeeper, Lucas Hradecky, has weighed in on Victor Boniface's failed… Read More

2 hours ago

Blow for Eaglets as CAF shuts the door on Nigeria for Morocco 2025

Nigeria’s hopes of competing at the 2025 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in… Read More

3 hours ago

South Africa boss reveals the number of points Bafana Bafana need to beat Nigeria to World Cup ticket

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has outlined the points tally he believes will secure… Read More

4 hours ago

Iheanacho: Super Eagles star scheduled for medical at Middlesbrough

One-time EFL Cup winners, Middlesbrough, are set to sign Sevilla and Super Eagles striker, Kelechi… Read More

6 hours ago