Every dog has its day, or every cat in Karim Benzema's case. The player once dubbed a pussy cat by Jose Mourinho scored twice as Real Madrid comfortably beat Eibar without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Benzema has always had his critics at Madrid and he came into this game not having scored in his last seven League games. The morning papers ran a list of 35 players who had scored more than the French international in the league.
But without having to service Ronaldo and Bale, Benzema was free to be the protagonist and he scored two and set-up one as Madrid scored twice in 15 minutes to wrap up this victory before the half-hour mark.
Benzema needed two attempts to beat Eibar keeper Yoel Rodriguez who saved his first shot but could do nothing about the well-struck rebound.
It was Benzema's first goal in the league since January 9 and his sixth league goal of the season; number seven was not long in coming.
James Rodriguez whipped in a free-kick and Benzema arrived on-side to steer the ball home.
Modric didn't run to the goalscorer Benzema to celebrate, he ran to James Rodriguez instead – it was a great assist and soon Rodriguez would join Benzema on the scoresheet.
This time it was the Frenchman who provided the assist and the Colombian who applied the finish.
It was turning into a great afternoon for the two players who tend to receive the most criticism at Real Madrid.
With what was Rodriguez's second goal of the season in the league – his first since September – the points were wrapped up.
Mateo Kovacic, Isco and Mariano Diaz all warmed up at the start of the second half. Zidane was clearly already thinking about taking off players he will need fresh on Tuesday against Napoli in the Champions League.
Benzema clearly wanted to stay on and he hit the pass of the game with a lofted ball over the top of Eibar's defence to send Marco Asensio down the left.
He unselfishly squared for Rodriguez and when Rodriguez hit the post, Asensio scored from the rebound to make it 4-0.
Spain manager Julen Lopetegui was among the 6,200 spectators watching this game; there is no question that 21-year-old Asensio will play many games for the national side.
This was the eighth goal of what is his debut season at Real Madrid and he has only started seven matches.
Benzema was taken off after the fourth goal and Luka Modric was the next to go. No sooner had he been replaced by Mateo Kovacic than Eibar scored.
Ruben Pena had never scored in the first division but he turned in a cross from Pedro Leon with his hip to give Eibar a consolation goal.
Madrid were back on top of La Liga, albeit pending Barcelona's home fixture with Celta Vigo later on Saturday.
They had delivered one of their more convincing performances of the season and they had done so with out Bale, Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos.
Benzema had stepped-up when his team had needed him most. This was the perfect way to prepare for Napoli on Tuesday.
