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Real Madrid went top of La Liga, albeit temporarily, with a comfortable 4-1 home win over Huesca, with Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Fede Valverde getting on the scoresheet for Los Blancos. Huesca remain in the relegation zone, with their third loss in eight games.
Huesca were the better team right from the off, with Rafa Mir running behind the Real Madrid defence multiple times while Sergio Gomez also forced Thibaut Courtois into a good save. The game, however, turned on its head in the 40th minute when Eden Hazard hammered home a long-range effort into the bottom corner to open the scoring for Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later, chesting a cross from Lucas Vasquez down and scoring from a narrow angle.
Real Madrid were much improved in the second half and ended the game as a contest in the 54th minute when Fede Valverde arrowed a shot into the bottom corner from a Benzema cross.
Huesca pulled one back in the 75th minute with substitute David Ferreiro turning in a Rafa Mir cross at the far post unopposed. Benzema, however, ended Huesca's hopes in the 90th minute after bundling in Rodrygo's knock-down from close range as the game ended 4-1 in favour of Real Madrid.
On that note, here are five major talking points from Real Madrid's convincing home win over Huesca in the La Liga:
#5 Eden Hazard scores on his Real Madrid return
Eden Hazard played a small cameo against Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Champions League but started from the off against Huesca.
Like the rest of his teammates, Eden Hazard started off slowly, with the Belgian struggling to find space as Pedro Mosquera and Kelechi Nwakali barely gave him room to breathe.
Yet, Hazard has the capability to produce magic out of nothing, and his goal was exactly that. He executed a brilliant turn away from Nwakali and rifled in a wonderful left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
It was inspiration for Real Madrid exactly when it was needed - much like a certain Portuguese talisman of yore.
The Belgian was instrumental in Real Madrid's third goal as well. It was his delicious flick that began the move which saw Karim Benzema cross the ball for Fede Valverde to score.
Hazard is a fabulous player, and he reminded everyone of his quality in the 60 minutes he was on the pitch. All Zinedine Zidane has to do now is hope that Hazard stays fit.
#4 Huesca could face an uphill task to avoid relegation
Huesca have yet to win any of the eight games they have played in the 2020-21 La Liga so far although they have managed five draws. The side from Aragorn have been deemed unlucky not to win so far, with their draws being close-fought games.
Indeed, Huesca were quite impressive in the first half against Real Madrid. They not only managed to keep Real Madrid's stars quiet but also played some good football along the way. However, they were unable to take advantage of their chances, and that could be the difference between safety and relegation at the end of the season.
Michel was quick to make changes in the second half, which worked to a degree, as Ferreiro scored after excellent work from Sandro and Rafa Mir in the build-up. Yet, they did not ramp up the pressure on Real Madrid thereafter, standing back and allowing Los Blancos to dictate play.
Huesca have the quality to do much better, but belief seems to be in short supply for the newly-promoted side at the moment, something that could come back to haunt them at the end of the season.
#3 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is in rich goal-scoring form
Karim Benzema faced plenty of criticism in the Spanish media after cameras caught him telling Ferland Mendy not to pass the ball to Vinicius Jr. in the second half of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach.
However, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane brushed aside the issue as a minor one, observing that such things were a common occurence in top-level football.
Against Huesca, Benzema turned in a fantastic performance. The Frenchman scored both of his goals courtesy excellent positioning and finishes, while also providing an assist for Fede Valverde. He may not be a media darling,nor a fan-favourite, but Benzema remains a very key player for Real Madrid.
Indeed, once Vinicius Jr. came on, it was clear that there was no issue between the pair. With his first pass, the Brazilian youngster almost set up Benzema for his hat-trick. All seems good with Real Madrid yet again.
#2 Sergio Ramos' 500th La Liga game had the cake but not the cherry on top
Sergio Ramos certainly has had way more eventful games than the one against Huesca, but the Spanish legend would have been glad to walk away with a 4-1 win on a lovely afternoon under the Spanish sun in the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
It was his 500th game in La Liga, making Ramos only the third defender to ever reach that milestone in Real Madrid's storied history.
A clean sheet or a goal for Ramos would have been the cherry on top, but there was none of that for the Real Madrid captain in his landmark game.
Huesca striker Rafa Mir did trouble Ramos on occasion, and when Casemiro left the pitch, a bit of Real Madrid's defensive organisation went with the Brazilian, allowing Ferreiro to score and dampen Ramos' afternoon a wee bit.
However, Ramos has always been a player about results and trophies. He will not be too disgruntled about a 4-1 win, not when there's a trophy to be won at the end of it all.
#1 Zinedine Zidane has concerns ahead of the Inter Milan game
Yes, it's only Real Madrid who can walk away from a 4-1 win with plenty of issues to ponder and correct. Madridistas are a hard bunch to please anyway, but they surely ought to have noticed some glaring issues with their team.
Zinedine Zidane witnessed his side start slowly for the umpteenth time, and had Huesca been a bit more clinical, the game could have taken a very wrong turn for Real Madrid. However, Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema ensured that that did not happen, but to count on them doing it in every game seems naive.
Real Madrid next face Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek. Madrid's right-back position is something the Inter manager Antonio Conte will likely target, as Lucas Vasquez struggled defensively against Huesca, and his replacement Ferland Mendy also didn't fare much better.
Perhaps it is time to trust Nacho once again, but Zidane certainly has his work cut out to shore up his defence, especially when Casemiro is not on the pitch.
It is an area of concern for the Madrid manager, but he certainly has the pedigree and nous to find a solution.
