Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

The Independent UK

World

Kishan Vaghela, Tom Kershaw

Eibar hammer hapless Real Madrid

Santiago Solari's first game as Real Madrid's full-time coach was one to forget.

After leading Madrid to four straight victories as interim manager, Solari saw his team lose 3-0 at Eibar in the Spanish league on Saturday.

The loss — Madrid's first-ever defeat against the Basque Country club — halted the team's recovery from a series of poor results under former coach Julen Lopetegui, who was fired.

Madrid is sixth in the standings after 13 games. It could have moved one point behind leader Barcelona ahead of its rival's match at Atletico Madrid later Saturday.

Relive all the action below.

2018-11-24T11:17:33.750Z

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Eibar vs Real Madrid.

Santiago Solari's side will be looking to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they travel to the Basque Country this afternoon.

We will have all the latest from Ipurua right here.

2018-11-24T11:35:28.000Z

Here's you Real team with a few interesting selections from Solari.

Odiozola is preferred at right back while Ceballos also starts in the centre of midfield. Expect Kroos to play deepest of that midfield three today.

Asensio will start on the left-hand side with Isco on the bench.

2018-11-24T11:42:29.910Z

The players are warming up

2018-11-24T11:50:58.986Z

A resurgent Real Madrid under Santiago Solari are four points behind Barcelona at the start of play today.

The Catalans face Atletico Madrid in a tricky tie this evening so an early win could really help to apply pressure on their rivals.

2018-11-24T11:52:00.100Z

2018-11-24T11:57:38.646Z

We're just moments away from kick off at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium

2018-11-24T11:59:47.166Z

Sergio Ramos starts for Real Madrid after doping-related revelations broke last night.

2018-11-24T12:03:29.710Z

And we're underway as Eibar get off to a positive start quickly closing down Varane from kickoff.

2018-11-24T12:07:34.643Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

3': And Eibar almost score from 35-yards! The ball falls to Kike kindly whose dipping volley has Thibaut Courtois beaten but clatters off the woodwork.

2018-11-24T12:08:43.613Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

5': And now Bale has a sensational long-range strike disallowed after straying offside. A positive start to the fixture.

2018-11-24T12:13:10.160Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

9': It's an open start which you feel will benefit Madrid in the wider context of this match, but Eibar are still presenting a threat coming forward.

2018-11-24T12:16:17.503Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

12': Benzema gets in behind and chips the Eibar keeper but it's cleared off the line.

2018-11-24T12:18:07.103Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

14': And now Kike comes close at the other end. The set-piece is curled in and he rises to meet it by the penalty spot only to drift very narrowly wide. Real Madrid are firmly in charge but they still look vulnerable at the back.

2018-11-24T12:19:01.376Z

Eibar 0-0 Real Madrid

VAR: Eibar think they've scored but there's potentially a foul on Courtois. We are going to the video referee.

2018-11-24T12:22:05.873Z

GOAL! Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

Escalante (17')

It's given! Eibar take the lead against the run of play. Kike's shot was pawed away by Courtois but Escalante managed to bundle it in. The assistant referee spent a while searching for an offside or potential foul on the referee but it was perfectly legal.

2018-11-24T12:23:59.033Z

Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

20': Madrid have upped the pace now as they attempt to respond but just as under Julen Lopetegui they're still a way off their stride.

2018-11-24T12:25:46.226Z

Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

23': Madrid are struggling to retain possession as Eibar grow in confidence. They're knocking it around nicely in the midfield.

2018-11-24T12:30:31.736Z

Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

26': Benzema manages to break loose in the box but he's clumsy in possession and bundles over Eibar's centre-back and concedes the foul. Solari's side are really lacking imagination in attack at the moment.

2018-11-24T12:34:51.893Z

Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

30': Madrid have a chance on the breakaway but Modric plays an uncharacteristically loose through ball which even outsprints Bale on its way to the Eibar keeper, summing up Real's tepid performance thus far.

2018-11-24T12:36:39.820Z

Eibar 1-0 Real Madrid

34': Benzema takes a tumble on the edge of the box. It's just to the right of the D and in perfect position for Gareth Bale.

12 3

Preview

What time does it start?

Eibar vs Real Madrid kicks off at midday (BST) on 24 Saturday November.

Santiago Solari has got Madrid back on track (Getty)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 1 from 11:55am and on their La Liga TV channel from kick-off.

Fans can also stream the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.

Highlights will be shown at 8:30am on Sunday on Eleven Sports 1.

Player to watch…

Karim Benzema: The Frenchman has enjoyed a mini-rebirth since the departure of Julen Lopetegui. The 30-year-old has scored four goals in his last four appearances, including a double against Viktoria Plzen in the most recent round of Champions League fixtures. The service to the forward seems to have improved and he will be confident of adding to this season’s tally of five goals.