Real Madrid returned to the top of LaLiga by beating Huesca, as Eden Hazard scored his first goal since last October.
Eden Hazard scored his first Real Madrid goal for more than a year as the LaLiga champions eased to a 4-1 win over Huesca.
Making his first league appearance of the season, the Belgium star opened the scoring in brilliant fashion before Karim Benzema doubled the lead at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Federico Valverde scored the third after some fine interplay between Benzema and Hazard, who looked sharp throughout his hour on the pitch, before David Ferreiro's consolation.
Much of the pre-game talk had centred on Benzema and a recording of him appearing to tell Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius Junior during the Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach, and the striker should have scored his side's fourth when teed up by substitute Vinicius in what would have capped an improved Madrid display.
Benzema eventually got his second in the 90th minute, nodding in from Rodrygo's header across goal.
An obstinate Huesca kept Madrid at bay for much of the first half, although Sergio Ramos – making his 500th appearance in LaLiga – saw a header saved by Andres Fernandez.
The breakthrough came 40 minutes, as Hazard produced a moment of true brilliance too rarely seen in a Madrid shirt, rolling away from Kelechi Nwakali's challenge and blasting a left-footed shot beyond Fernandez from nearly 30 yards out.
Benzema doubled the lead just before the interval, chesting down Lucas Vazquez's deep cross before drilling a finish into the bottom-right corner.
Huesca started the second positively but the threat of a comeback was quashed 53 minutes in. After Hazard and Benzema had combined superbly down the left, the latter crossed for Valverde to take a touch and hammer home from 12 yards.
Benzema and Isco missed chances for a fourth before Ferreiro scored a consolation, steering a finish past Thibaut Courtois from Rafa Mir's cross, but Benzema had the final word when he turned in Rodrygo's header from point-blank range.
What does it mean? Hazard looks sharp again as Madrid return to top
The victory moved Madrid back to the summit of LaLiga, two points clear of Real Sociedad after seven games each.
It also marked an impressive return to form for Hazard and Zinedine Zidane's side as a whole, as they once again followed up a disappointing performance in Europe with a much-improved domestic display.
Huesca, one of just two sides without a LaLiga win this season, are 18th after eight games.
Hazard levels rising
This was not a virtuoso Hazard performance: he created zero chances for team-mates, produced no crosses and only had one shot on target.
However, that solitary strike earned him his first goal in 392 days and seemed to breathe some life into his link-up with Benzema. Zidane will be encouraged.
Right-back worries
Auxiliary right-back Lucas Vazquez was taken off after 52 minutes and did not seem to be wholly comfortable. Given injuries to Dani Carvajal and Nacho, any further concerns in that position will be most unwelcome to Zidane.
Key Opta facts
- Hazard has scored his second goal for Madrid in all competitions (24 appearances), the other coming in October 2019 against Granada, 392 days ago.
- Madrid have scored four goals in a single game in all competitions for the first time since February 2020 and for the first time in a match at home this year.
- Ramos has become the 10th player to reach 500 appearances in LaLiga history (461 for the Madrid and and 39 for Sevilla) and the third defender to reach this milestone, after Manolo Sanchis (523) and Miguel Soler (504).
- Benzema has been involved in 13 goals in his last 13 starts in all competitions, scoring nine goals and assisting four.
- Huesca coach Michel Sanchez has lost nine of his 10 LaLiga games against Madrid (D1), two as manager and seven during his playing career (D1 L7).
What's next?
Madrid host Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday before next Sunday's visit to Mestalla to meet Valencia. Huesca have a week off until they host Eibar.