Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga emerged in the spotlight as Real Madrid put Celta Vigo to the sword in Sunday night's La Liga encounter. The trio were all on target as Los Blancos recorded a resounding 5-2 win over Celta Vigo to climb to the top of the table after four outings,
The high-scoring encounter started off with Santi Mina putting Celta in front just four minutes after kick-off. 20 minutes later, Benzema set the tone to grab a hat-trick by restoring parity with a fine finish. Franco Cervi's 31st minutes strike meant that Real Madrid will go into the break on the back foot but that was changed barely 60 seconds after play resumed in the second half thanks to another Benzema goal.
The Frenchman will then go on to assist Vinicius Jr for his fourth goal of season, putting Real Madrid 3-2 up in the 54th minute. Soon after, summer-signing Eduardo Camavinga was handed his debut by coming on to replace Eden Hazard in the game. The former Rennes sensation scored a dream goal in his maiden appearance for Los Blancos just six minutes after his introduction, tapping home the goalkeeper's initial save of Luka Modric's attempt at goal.
2 - At 18 years and 306 days, Eduardo Camavinga is the second youngest player to score on his debut for @realmadriden in @LaLigaEN in the 21st century, after Rodrygo Goes against Osasuna in September 2019 (18 and 259). Hopeful. pic.twitter.com/sG1XISKk4G
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 12, 2021
Benzema then ended Real Madrid's first game at Santiago Bernabeu in 560 days by converting a spot-kick in the 87th minute for his hat-trick. The feat was the first any Real Madrid player had managed since Cristiano Ronaldo's exit. The Frenchman's 285 goals for Real Madrid is the most goals by a French player for a single club and he is now expected to overtake the legendary Santillana (290) in the coming weeks. He will equally have his eyes on the tallies of Alfredo Di Stefano (308) and Raul Gonzalez (323) with Cristiano (450) being in a league of his own.
Attention, @realmadriden fans!
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) September 12, 2021
@Benzema's hat-trick
@vinijr on top form
Debut goal for @Camavinga
Don't miss highlights from a memorable night at the Bernabeu...
#LaLigaTV pic.twitter.com/RMxhStl5si