Eibar 1-3 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points as Los Blancos make title statement | La Liga 2020-21 

#3 Eibar fail to take chances against visitors

Eibar had several good chances to score

The last time Eibar hosted Real Madrid, they found themselves 3-0 down inside half an hour in what was an eventual 4-0 whitewash. When Benzema and Modric put Los Blancos two goals up inside 12 minutes, fans of the Basque side might have feared that another thrashing was on the cards for their team.

The capital side had started the game like a house on fire and fashioned many chances in the opening exchanges.

Real Madrid, however, seemed to take their foot off the pedal after their two-goal cushion and Eibar nearly made them pay for it.

Kike's wonder goal appeared to spark the hosts into life and they began the second half on the stronger foot.

©️ @SergioRamos is now the madridista with the third most victories in @LaLigaEN!👏✨👉 3⃣1⃣3⃣ #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/nSZhubvhA0

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 20, 2020

International teammates Takashi Inui and Yoshinori Muto should have done better when they found themselves with presentable opportunities, while Sergio Ramos produced a stunning tackle to deny a goalscoring chance late on.

Chances come at a premium against sides like Real Madrid and Eibar's failure to take theirs were punished when Lucas Vasquez scored on the breakaway in the dying moments of the game.

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#2 Madrid sides looking likely to be only horses in title race

Atletico Madrid currently top the table

As already indicated, Atletico Madrid currently sit top of the standings after 14 matchdays. Under the watchful eyes of Diego Simeone, Los Colchoneros are currently setting the pace, while the addition of Luis Suarez has also added a different dynamic in attack.

Atletico had earlier dispatched Elche 3-1 on Saturday to open up a three-point advantage at the summit and Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Valencia later in the day further aided their cause.

With their victory over Eibar, Real Madrid sent a statement of intent to their city rivals. Despite having a two-game deficit, Los Blancos look primed to take advantage of any slip-up by the table-toppers.

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#1 Karim Benzema continues fine run of form for Real Madrid

Benzema scored a goal and provided two assists

Karim Benzema was the star of the show as Real Madrid defeated Eibar on their own turf. The Frenchman excellently controlled a lobbed pass by Rodrygo to give himself an easy finish in the sixth minute and also produced a moment of magic to set-up Luka Modric soon after.

His tenacity in the box saw him rob Kevin Rodriguez off possession and he showed great awareness to pick out his teammate on the edge of the area.

Benzema spurned a great chance to put Real Madrid 3-0 up soon after when he inexplicably headed wide after a left-footed cross by Modric found him unmarked in the area.

Karim Benzema has become the all-time leading French scorer in a top-five European league other than Ligue 1:⚽️ 176 Karim Benzema (Liga 🇪🇸)⚽️ 175 Thierry Henry (Premier League 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)👏👏👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/KDto3T8Vh3

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 20, 2020

The 33-year-old, however, left a final mark on the game when he set Vasquez up for his side's third goal in injury time.

The goal and pair of assists mean that Karim Benzema has scored 11 goals and provided five assists from 17 matches in all competitions this term, while his goal involvement against Eibar reads 11 from 11.

With their star striker in this form, Real Madrid would fancy their chances of going all the way and achieving their season objectives.