• Real Madrid players congratulate Karim Benzema, center, after he scored his second goal against Eibar. AP Photo
    Real Madrid players congratulate Karim Benzema, center, after he scored his second goal against Eibar. AP Photo
  • Real Madrid full-back Ferland Mendy competes for the ball with Eibar's Kike Garcia. Getty Images
    Real Madrid full-back Ferland Mendy competes for the ball with Eibar's Kike Garcia. Getty Images
  • Karim Benzema in action against Eibar. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema in action against Eibar. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez lies on the turf during the game against Eibar. Getty Images
    Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez lies on the turf during the game against Eibar. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior duels for the ball with Pablo De Blasis. Getty Images
    Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior duels for the ball with Pablo De Blasis. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos heads the ball against Eibar. AP Photo
    Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos heads the ball against Eibar. AP Photo
  • Lucas Vazquez during Real Madrid's game against Eibar. Getty Images
    Lucas Vazquez during Real Madrid's game against Eibar. Getty Images
  • Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal waves to fans at the end of the match. Reuters
    Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal waves to fans at the end of the match. Reuters
  • Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates his gaol against Eibar with Luka Modric. Getty Images
    Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates his gaol against Eibar with Luka Modric. Getty Images
  • Luka Modric shrugs off the challenge of Sergi Enrich. Getty Images
    Luka Modric shrugs off the challenge of Sergi Enrich. Getty Images
  • Sergio Ramos steps up to score a penalty for Real Madrid. AP Photo
    Sergio Ramos steps up to score a penalty for Real Madrid. AP Photo
  • Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal against Eibar. AP Photo
    Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal against Eibar. AP Photo
  • Sergio Ramos celebrates his goal against Eibar with Eden Hazard. Getty Images
    Sergio Ramos celebrates his goal against Eibar with Eden Hazard. Getty Images
  • Karim Benzema on the ball during Real Madrid's game against Eibar. Getty Images
    Karim Benzema on the ball during Real Madrid's game against Eibar. Getty Images

Real Madrid produce 'complete performance' at Eibar to stay level with Barcelona


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Dani Carvajal hailed the "complete performance" of Real Madrid after their comfortable 4-0 win over Eibar on Saturday kept them level on points with leaders Barcelona.

Three goals in the opening half an hour at the Ipurua stadium set the tone for the visitors, with Karim Benzema scoring twice - his second from the penalty spot - before captain Sergio Ramos added another penalty. Federico Valverde completed the rout just after the hour mark as Madrid returned to the capital with all three points.

The victory briefly took Zinedine Zidane's side top of the standings on 25 points after 12 games but Barcelona went ahead of them on goal difference after a 4-1 win at home to Celta Vigo.

Real Sociedad are third on 23 points after drawing 1-1 at home to Leganes on Friday, although Barca and Real each have a game in hand on the Basque side.

"We have been producing very complete performances recently and today was another one," said Real defender Carvajal.

"Our start set the tone for the game and we have to keep that up, unfortunately the international break comes at a time when we are doing very well.

"We are being more ruthless in both areas and that is making a big difference.

"Last week against Betis the ball wouldn't go in, and they became more confident the longer we didn't score and it became harder for us. But when we make a strong start and score early the opponent leaves a lot of space and we can take advantage."

Real had harrowing memories of their last trip to Eibar, when they were overpowered 3-0 last November in a game that spelled the beginning of the end for coach Santiago Solari.

Things could hardly have been more different this time - Real were insatiable in the first half as Valverde provided relentless energy through the middle and Hazard looked at his most dangerous since his summer move from Chelsea.

Real have now scored 16 goals without conceding any in their last five fixtures, a resounding response to their shock 1-0 defeat at Real Mallorca three weeks ago.

"We worked very hard and believed in what we were doing," said Real manager Zidane. "The Mallorca game was tough for us but since then we have played with a lot of generosity, and when you have the amount of quality we have everything is easier."