Real Madrid: Top 5 performances from 2-2 draw with PSG

LW Eden Hazard

Real Madrid superstar left forward Eden Hazard exited this game at around the hour mark with an injury, as fellow Belgian Thomas Meunier took him out with a needless and reckless tackle. Fans can only hope that Hazard’s injury, which seems to be an ankle sprain based on postgame press conference comments from manager Zinedine Zidane, isn’t a serious one. Note that Real must face FC Barcelona at Camp Nou on Dec. 18.

Before the injury, Hazard was a delight to watch. No single play typified his importance or individual quality more so than his dribble to start the build-up to Real’s first goal. Hazard dusted Marquinhos and Idrissa Gueye on the left flank at the same time with a devastating, signature spin move before nutmegging the referee and cooly passing the ball to Fede Valverde.

Moves like that are commonplace for Hazard, who will drop back deep to defend in Zidane’s system, collect the ball from the left back or center back, and then turn on the jets before flicking the right stick to start a killer counterattack.

Hazard has been Real’s muse in attack over the last several weeks, recording ridiculous stats in the “dribbles completed” column, including 10 at the weekend against Real Sociedad.

Here’s to hoping Hazard’s injury isn’t serious and to remembering some of the Belgian’s finest moments at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.