Real Madrid showed no rust as Los Blancos dusted off their pristine white kits to sweep aside Eibar 3-1 in both clubs’ return from a three-month hiatus on Sunday at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium. If anything, the necessary COVID-19 interruption helped reinvigorate the Merengues, who looked sharp from the opening kick.
Most notably in Real Madrid’s victory, Marcelo, arguably the most prominent black player in LaLiga, celebrated his well-taken goal by taking a knee and raising a fist in the air. Marcelo, like many other players in Europe, have shown solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, which has evoked widespread protests following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis in May.
Real Madrid vs Eibar Highlights
Following to lead of league-leading Barcelona, Real Madrid struck early upon its return to the pitch for the first time since March 8. Toni Kroos kicked things off right on three minutes with a marvelous first-time chip shot over Marko Dmitrovic.
Kroos still has one of the sweetest touches on the planet. The man could build a cake with his right foot.
Sergio Ramos, who was adamant we watch him work out from home during the three-month break to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, scored the next for Madrid, but not on a corner or penalty kick, as is his usual modus operandi. Instead, the center back started and finished a blitzkrieg of a counterattack 30 minutes into the match. Eden Hazard selflessly squared the ball to his captain when the former Chelsea man probably could’ve finished himself.
Marcelo Goal vs Eibar
Marcelo then made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with a wicked volley. Upon scoring, the Brazilian took a knee and raised his fist in the air.
Marcelo has been in and out of the Madrid lineup this season due to injuries and coach’s decisions, but he certainly made a statement on Sunday.
In the second half, Real Madrid kicked into cruise control.
Thibaut Courtois showed up with a stellar save to deny Edu Expósito in the 57th minute. Of course, that was undone moments later when he let a ball slip through his legs for Eibar’s only goal. Yes, there was a deflection, but no goalie wants to let a ball go through their legs.
Zinedine Zidane made a number of changes in the second half (teams are allowed five substitutions now) and the match lost its rhythm a bit as a result. But he probably won’t mind after securing all three points and a strong first-half performance.
The win pulled Real Madrid back within two points of Barcelona atop LaLiga, setting up what should be a thrilling close to the season.
The match was played at without fans at Di Stéfano Stadium, no doubt better than playing in the empty, cavernous Bernabeu. Like other matches across Spain this week, a minute of silence was observed to honor the victims of COVID-19 and the TV broadcast included graphics of fans in the stands.
Se guardó un minuto de silencio en el estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano en memoria de las víctimas del COVID-19.#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ok6LluNENo
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 14, 2020
