Football News : Ancelotti pleased with Hazard as Covid hit Real win at Bilbao

Reaction from Carlo Ancelotti at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday after Karim Benzema struck twice in quick succession to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win at Athletic Club in a Spanish league game that was badly hit by a series of coronavirus infections.

A total of 12 players between the teams missed the game, including Real midfielder Luka Modric and Bilbao's Spash international goalkeeper Unai Simon.

The outbreak in the Madrid squad gave Eden Hazard, Eduardo Camavinga and Nacho Fernandez the opportunity to earn rare starts.

Benzema got Real going four minutes into the match and three minutes later grabbed a league-leading 15th goal of the season.

Oihan Sancet hit right back for the hosts to close out an eventful opening 10 minutes.  

Inaki Williams went close to scoring an equaliser with half an hour remaining, but a Real defence anchored by Eder Militao held on to increase Madrid's lead to eight points over second-place Sevilla.