Alaves 1-4 Real Madrid: Ancelotti gets off to winning start thanks to Benzema
The coach will be pleased with the second half performance that saw his team earn three points
Real Madrid took a while to get going but eventually earned three points in their opening game of La Liga on Saturday night.
Alaves started well and, on the break, arguably had the better chances. They might have had a penalty when Lucas Vazquez handled the ball, but it was deemed to be accidental, with Pere Pons stabbing over after it fell to him.
The first half was nothing to write home about but Real Madrid bucked up their ideas after the break.
Karim Benzema, who else? broke the deadlock after Eden Hazard superbly liked the ball into his path.
The Belgian put in a fine shift after 65 minutes, before making way. Gareth Bale, also back in the side, had a quieter night.
It was two when Luka Modric curled in a superb dipping cross for Nacho Fernandez to finish on the slide. Benzema added the third at the second attempt after Fede Valverde burst through.
Alaves were eventually given a penalty when Thibaut Courtois took out John Guidetti, after Eder Militao sold the keeper short with a poor backpass.
However they could not mount a comeback after Joselu dispatched it and Madrid went on to take the three points and get off to a winning start at Mendizorroza.
Vinicius Junior grabbed the fourth late on, heading home Alaba's fine cross.
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