Eibar 1, Real Madrid 4: Karim Benzema at the double as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale sit out
Silky Frenchman takes control of smooth operation as under-strength Real cruise to easy La Liga victory
WHO needs Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale?
Neither superstar was available for this mis-match in which Ronaldo was injured and Bale suspended.
No matter, Karim Benzema stepped up to the plate with two early goals.
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The French striker was on target in the 14th minute after picking up a ball at the far post and cutting inside Eibar defender Antonio Luna to get an initial shot away.
Keeper Yoel clawed the ball away but only to the the feet of Benzema who tucked the chance away at the second attempt.
Eleven minutes later he was at it again with an unmarked header.
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After 29 minutes Benzema turned provider with the cross that James Rodriquez managed to loop over Yoel.
In a predictably one-sided affair Benzema almost completed his hat-trick just after the break before Marco Asensio made it 4-0 on the hour.
In a great counter attack Benzema showed great vision to find Asensio on the left. From his cross Rodriguez leant back and smacked the post, and Asensio mopped up the rebound.
Eibar, seventh in La Liga before this loss, had a 69th minute 'goal' disallowed.
Sergi Enrich forced a save from Keylor Navas and the rebound crossed the line. But the linesman pulled the homeside back for offside.
But the home side did grab a consolation with a 72nd minute when defender Ivan de la Pena headed in at the back post.