Luka Modric scored his newest beautiful purpose to assist Actual Madrid to an ultimately comfy 4-1 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday and make it two wins out of two for the champions to begin the brand new LaLiga season.
After the 2 groups exchanged early objectives from the penalty spot, courtesy of Karim Benzema and Iago Aspas, Modric took management. Three minutes earlier than half-time, the 36-year-old gave Madrid the essential lead to enter the interval with an unstoppable curling strike from 20 yards.
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Madrid then struck twice on the break within the second half by means of Vinicius Jr. and Federico Valverde to make the three factors safe. The scoreline might have been much more emphatic for the guests however substitute Eden Hazard, charitably given the accountability by Benzema, had a late penalty saved.
“We’re glad. We performed effectively,” Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti mentioned afterward. “We had good particular person performances from gamers who have not performed quite a bit, they’re new. Tchouameni performed very well, and Camavinga. We confirmed a variety of vitality on the pitch and the efficiency was good, we’re assured sooner or later for certain.
“We’ve gamers who can play in numerous positions, it helps the workforce. I feel the squad we’ve is a extremely good squad, I’ve no doubts about that.”
Earlier than Modric’s intervention, Madrid had been caught in an actual tussle with their opponents, simply as they had been in a slim 2-1 win in opposition to Almeria of their LaLiga opener every week in the past.
Enjoying their first sport with out Manchester United-bound Casemiro, Ancelotti began with Aurelien Tchouameni in a midfield three alongside Modric and Eduardo Camavinga.
And Tchouameni had a major involvement early on. It was the summer season signing’s header that discovered David Alaba in entrance of purpose earlier than the defender’s shot was clearly blocked by the arm of Celta Vigo’s Renato Tapia. Whereas the referee did not see it in actual time, after a test from VAR it was a easy resolution to level to the penalty spot.
Benzema despatched Celta goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin the flawed option to get his first purpose of the season with 14 minutes on the clock.
However lower than 10 minutes later, the scores had been degree. This time it was Eder Militao whose arm was within the flawed place on the flawed time to dam a header from Goncalo Paciencia and provides the officers one other easy job to award a penalty. Aspas adopted Benzema’s lead with a decisive strike from the spot.
It was Modric’s purpose that the sport shall be most remembered for, although. The Croatian confirmed his enduring brilliance, gliding by a problem earlier than effortlessly dispatching the ball into the highest nook of the web.
“He is immortal. Luka is at all times prepared, he is at all times ready, he at all times performs effectively.” Ancelotti added of Modric. “The purpose he scored modified the sport. Till the purpose the sport was even, aggressive, Celta pressed us effectively, it was arduous for us in possession. Within the second half they dropped their depth, and we performed the ball out effectively from the again and our transitions had been spectacular.”
Paciencia went shut with a low strike throughout purpose in the beginning of the second half as Celta sought to get again on degree phrases. However when Modric discovered Vinicius clear by means of the center and the Brazilian rounded the keeper earlier than sliding house the competition was successfully ended.
Valverde wrapped up the scoring, permitting Modric to take a seat out the ultimate minutes on the bench after receiving a standing ovation from all 4 corners of the Balaidos.
“It is a good looking factor, it makes me very glad when the followers recognise your work, I can solely thank them,” Modric mentioned.
As for the lack of Casemiro, who is because of have a farewell in Madrid on Monday earlier than sealing his transfer to Outdated Trafford, Modric added: “It is a disgrace, we made historical past with him and he was basic. We’ll miss him quite a bit as an individual and as a participant, and I am unhappy to see him go. But it surely’s part of soccer and we’ve to hold on with out him.”
Info from ESPN’s Alex Kirkland was used on this report.