MADRID - Real Madrid's Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick as they capped their return to the refurbished Santiago Bernabéu stadium with a thrilling 5-2 comeback win over Celta Vigo in LaLiga on Sunday.
The Frenchman was unplayable at times as Madrid were reunited with their fans for the first time since March 1, 2020.
They played the whole of last season at reserve team Castilla's Alfredo Di Stéfano ground at their training complex.
"I feel good, I've got the support of the coach, the president, the players and the crowd," Benzema said. "It's a special night for us with the fans here and the atmosphere. It was a little strange to be playing in front of fans again, but they got right behind us. We need their support and they gave us everything today."
The crowd were, however, stunned when Santi Mina latched onto a defensive mistake to put the visitors ahead after four minutes.
Santi Mina puts Celta de Vigo up EARLY! pic.twitter.com/lekmaEA7V0
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021
Madrid recovered well, pinning Celta back, and the pressure eventually told after 24 minutes as Benzema equalized with his first goal following a Federico Valverde cutback.
BENZEMA SCORES
Real Madrid and Celta de Vigo tied 1-1 pic.twitter.com/X13nbIZbau— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021
Franco Cervi put Celta back in front seven minutes later against the run of play from a lightning counter-attack and they went in ahead at the break.
Real Madrid down 1-2 to Celta de Vigo
2nd half starting on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/geGQDDnpDt— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) September 12, 2021
But Benzema, who had what he thought was an equalizer disallowed for offside just before halftime, headed Real level two minutes after the restart and from then on there was only going to be one winner.
BENZEMA DOUBLE!
Madrid is back in it! pic.twitter.com/dv862txbFG— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021
The forward teed up Vinícius Júnior whose composed finish gave Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead for the first time.
Vinicius Jr scores off a great through ball by Benzema! pic.twitter.com/k5T5Kc3ATe
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021
New signing Eduardo Camavinga came off the bench to score on his debut, with the France midfielder tucking the ball home from close range, before Benzema completed his treble with a penalty three minutes from time to delight the returning home fans.
DEBUT GOAL FOR CAMAVINGA! pic.twitter.com/zMKTZwU5CZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 12, 2021
BENZEMA HAT TRICK pic.twitter.com/rqW3mTpbqH
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) September 12, 2021
Real had started the process of reforming their stadium just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, modernizing the ground and adding a retractable roof.
(Reporting by Joseph Walker; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)
