La Liga PIX: Real return with convincing win over Eibar

Real Madrid beat Eibar 3-1 on Sunday in their first competitive match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium following La Liga's three-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toni Kroos got Real off to an ideal start at the empty stadium based at their training ground by scoring in the fourth minute while captain Sergio Ramos struck on the half-hour mark before Marcelo netted in the 37th.

Real did ease off after the interval and Eibar forward Sergi Enrich struck the woodwork before Pedro Bigas pulled a goal back for the visiting side on the hour mark.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane used all five of his substitutions as his players continued to tire.

The win kept Real on La Liga leaders Barcelona's heels with 59 points after 28 games. They are two points behind Barca after the Catalans beat Real Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday.

"We are very happy with the three points and that things are starting to get back to normal," said Ramos.

"It was a bit weird for everyone to return after such an awful crisis. It's been a strange situation, but at last we're back. Football is very important to everyone and to be able to step on the grass again gave us immense joy."

With Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium being revamped, Zidane's men re-started the campaign at the 6,000-capacity Di Stefano stadium where their reserve side play.

Real are usually greeted by a throng of supporters when their bus arrives at the Bernabeu but they faced a far more relaxing journey on Sunday as they walked 300 metres from their residency at the training ground to the stadium.

Germany midfielder Kroos put his side at ease with a powerful first-time shot which fizzed into the far top corner while Ramos struck the second by knocking a pass from Eden Hazard into the net to complete a sweeping counter attack.

Brazilian left back Marcelo then further stretched the scoreline with a lethal finish into the bottom corner and celebrated by kneeling and raising his right fist, an apparent tribute to the Black Lives Matter campaign taking place around the world.

The match was Gareth Bale’s 250th appearance for the club.

In his seventh season with the club, the Welshman has been involved in 162 wins and has scored 105 goals. After the match, Bale was presented a commemorative jersey.

Despite the win, Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos said he is looking for improvement.

"It's no surprise it wasn't a wonderful performance and we have things we can improve," the club's official website quoted Ramos as saying.

"Physically the team was fine, you can expect to play with the intensity we showed in the first 45 minutes for the full 90. We dropped off a bit and left more spaces, but we'll learn from it going into our 10 remaining games," he added.

Ramos, who also netted a goal during the match, said being able to play football again is a 'huge blessing'.

"For us to set foot on the pitch again is a huge blessing. And it's a big positive for the whole country to have football back, to provide entertainment and get business and the economy back up and running so that everything returns to its natural place. It's important for everyone," he said.

Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad held 1-1 by Osasuna

Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad were held to a 1-1 home draw by Osasuna on Sunday in their first game since La Liga resumed after a three-month hiatus amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal cancelled out Adrian Lopez's first-half penalty for the visitors to leave them fourth on 47 points from 28 games, one point ahead of fifth-placed Getafe who are chasing the last qualifying spot for next season's Champions League.

Getafe slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Granada on Friday, but Real failed to make the most of that slipup as they seemed to lack inspiration without fans creating an atmosphere, with all matches being played behind closed doors.

The result left Osasuna in 11th place on 35 points.

The hosts dominated possession in the first half but they failed to find space and they were punished in the 29th minute when the visitors were awarded a penalty following a Robin Le Normand handball.

Lopez converted the spot kick to put Osasuna in front and they went close to doubling the tally on the stroke of halftime when Inigo Perez's attempt went just over the bar.

Real equalised on the hour. Willian Jose dragged the defence out to the flank and crossed for Oyarzabal, who found the back of the net with a low shot.