Karim Benzema – La Liga Player of the Week

Credit: Real Madrid FC

Karim Benzema welcomed fans back to the Santiago Bernabeu in style as his hat-trick secured an emphatic 5-2 win against Celta Vigo.

Real Madrid youngsters Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga completed the goal scoring in Real Madrid’s first game at their home stadium in 560 days.

Benzema’s first goal showed his current form as he hit Federico Valverde’s cutback into the ground and in off the crossbar, making it unstoppable for Matias Dituro in goal. Any other striker would have struggled to finish the chance as the 33-year-old did but he seems to be inevitable at this moment in his career.

The Frenchman’s second was a goal you would usually associate with his national compatriot Olivier Giroud. Miguel Gutierrez sent in a cross towards the back post as Benzema guided the header back across the goal to equalise for the second time.

The forward then assisted Vinicius Jr with a through ball to put the Brazilian in behind and one-on-one with the goalkeeper with the winger scoring his fourth goal in as many league games.

The Brazilian then repaid Benzema as he won a penalty for the striker to complete his hat-trick. He smashed the ball into the top left corner and ended any hope of a Celta Vigo comeback. His goals also meant that Real have extended their unbeaten record in the league to 22 matches.

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This was Benzema’s sixth hat-trick for Los Blancos and his first since the 2018/19 season where he bagged three goals against Athletic Bilbao.

The Frenchman has now scored five times and assisted his teammates on four occasions as Madrid sit on top of the table before the start of their Champions League campaign.

Extra pressure was placed on the forward this season as he was given the captain’s armband by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti following the transfer of Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain. He has taken well to the role and is proving to be a good role model for the younger members of the squad.

Real Madrid will face Valencia in their next league game as they look to continue their good start to the season.

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