Karim Benzema hat-trick gives Real Madrid winning return to Bernabeu - in pictures

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores a goal which was later disallowed for offside during the La Liga match against Celta Vigo at Santiago Bernabeu on September 12, 2021 in Madrid. Getty Images

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates with teammate Federico Valverde after scoring their team's first goal. Getty Images

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores their team's fifth goal from the penalty spot in a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo. Getty Images

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates his team's victor. AFP

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal with Vinicius Junio. AFP

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior celebrates with the fans after scoring to make the score 3-2 against Celta Vigo. EPA

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid shoots past Matias Dituro of Celta Vigo to score their team's third goal. Getty Images

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, vies for the ball. AP Photo

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior reacts. AFP

Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid is tackled by Javi Galan of Celta Vigo. Getty Images

Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team's fourt. Getty Images

Celta Vigo's Argentinian midfielder Franco Cervi vies with Real Madrid's French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. AFP

Real Madrid returned to the Santiago Bernabeu after 560 days away and Karim Benzema ensured it was a happy homecoming as his hat-trick inspired a thrilling 5-2 fightback against Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Benzema twice had to pull Madrid level after Santi Mina and Franco Cervi each put Celta ahead, goals that were greeted with whistles inside the Bernabeu where 19,874 fans attended for the first time in a year and a half.

But Benzema kept his team in it and Madrid motored in the second half, Vinicius Junior finishing after racing onto the France forward's through-ball before Eduardo Camavinga marked his debut by tapping into an open net.

Benzema completed his hat-trick by converting a penalty in the 87th minute, to make it five goals and two assists from his opening four games this season.

"The team has a lot of quality offensively, that's clear," said coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"What wasn't so clear was the defensive organisation, which has to improve."

Antoine Griezmann's return was less impressive, his first game for Atletico Madrid in two years and four months coming against Espanyol, who sank to a 2-1 defeat after a 99th-minute winner from Thomas Lemar. Griezmann had gone off in the 58th minute with his team trailing.

Valencia sit level with Atletico and Real Madrid on 10 points after they continued their strong start under new coach Jose Bordelas with a 4-1 win away at Osasuna.