Real Madrid beats Eibar in their first post Covid-19 competitive match

Real Madrid beat Eibar 3-1 on Sunday in their first competitive match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium following La Liga’s three-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toni Kroos got Real off to an ideal start at the empty stadium based at their training ground by scoring in the fourth minute while captain Sergio Ramos struck on the half-hour mark before Marcelo netted in the 37th.

Real did ease off after the interval and Eibar forward Sergi Enrich struck the woodwork before Pedro Bigas pulled a goal back for the visiting side on the hour mark.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane used all five of his substitutions as his players continued to tire.

The win kept Real on La Liga leaders Barcelona’s heels with 59 points after 28 games. They are two points behind Barca after the Catalans beat Real Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday.

epa08485508 Real Madrid’s Marcelo (C) celebrates after scoring the 3-0 lead during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485469 Real Madrid and SD Eibar players observe a minute of silence in honor of victims of the coronavirus pandemic ahead of a Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485467 Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos (L) shoots to score the 1-0 lead during a Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485469 Real Madrid and SD Eibar players observe a minute of silence in honor of victims of the coronavirus pandemic ahead of a Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485563 Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema (R) in action against SD Eibar’s Rober (L) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485578 Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos (R) in action against SD Eibar’s Sebastian Cristoforo (L) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

epa08485581 Real Madrid´s Vinicius Junior (R) in action against SD Eibar´s Paulo Oliveira (L) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and SD Eibar behind closed doors at Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 14 June 2020. EPA-EFE/Kiko Huesca

With Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium being revamped, Zidane’s men re-started the campaign at the 6,000-capacity Di Stefano stadium where their reserve side play.

Real are usually greeted by a throng of supporters when their bus arrives at the Bernabeu but they faced a far more relaxing journey on Sunday as they walked 300 metres from their residency at the training ground to the stadium.

Germany midfielder Kroos put his side at ease with a powerful first-time shot which fizzed into the far top corner while Ramos struck the second by knocking a pass from Eden Hazard into the net to complete a sweeping counter attack.

Brazilian left back Marcelo then further stretched the scoreline with a lethal finish into the bottom corner and appeared to celebrate with a tribute to the Black Lives Matter campaign taking place around the world.

Reuters