Gareth Bale fails to rescue Madrid
Rampant Eibar made history Saturday by humiliating European champions Real Madrid with an emphatic 3-0 win in La Liga , thanks to strikes from Gonzalo Escalante, Sergi Enrich and Kike Garcia. It was the first time that Eibar would be beating Real Madrid.
Santiago Solari’s first game as permanent coach of Real Madrid ended in his first defeat, after four consecutive victories during his time as interim manager.
On-loan FC Barcelona defender Marc Cucurella played a part in each of Eibar’s goals as they tore apart Madrid’s fragile defence.
The Basques would have added to their tally, but for some fine saves by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Eibar’s first-ever win over Real Madrid takes them provisionally seventh on 18 points, two behind struggling Real in sixth.
“Eibar played their game, direct, taking advantage of the loose balls. We lost our battles,” said Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
“Collectively we weren’t well positioned, we were not comfortable and we did not find solutions.”
A lively start at Ipurua saw Belgian Courtois tip Kike’s vicious effort on to the post, while Karim Benzema had a shot cleared off the line by Cote.
Eibar took the lead after 16 minutes at the end of a brilliant break, with Cucurella finding Kike, who was denied by Courtois.
But Escalante bundled home the rebound from close range.
Cucurella, deployed on the left wing by Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, is shining during his loan spell and was impossible for Real Madrid to handle.
The Catalan won back the ball from Alvaro Odriozola for the second goal, crossing to find Sergi Enrich who slotted home in the 52nd minute.
With Real Madrid on the ropes, Eibar added a third goal five minutes later.
Cucurella again crossed for Enrich who nudged the ball into Kike’s path and the striker gleefully slammed it home.
Eibar had chances to extend their lead and pile further misery on Real Madrid, with Fabian Orellana forcing a smart save from Courtois and Kike volleying narrowly wide.
Real Madrid have now lost five games in La Liga this season.
Leaders FC Barcelona have the chance to move seven points clear of their rivals when they face third-placed Atletico Madrid later on Saturday.
