Benzema Scores As Real Madrid Extends Lead

Karim Benzema scored as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points with a victory over Elche.

Ballon d’ Or winner Benzema has now scored 224 goals in La Liga for Real Madrid.

Benzema linked with Rodrygo before Slotting home from 18 yards, having seen two earlier efforts ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.

That doubled Madrid’s lead after Federico Valverde sliced home.

Marco Asensio scored the third goal as Real extended their unbeaten start to 10 games.

Real opened up a three-point lead on rivals Barcelona with victory in El Clasico on Sunday, with Xavi’s side having the opportunity to cut the gap when they host Villarreal on Thursday.

Valverde’s left-footed strike from outside the area put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead after 11 minutes, before David Alaba and Benzema saw efforts disallowed for offside.

It left Benzema to celebrate his fifth league goal of the season by ironically drawing a square as the referee does during a VAR review.

Asensio’s hooked finish rounded off a lovely free-flowing move by Real, who have won nine and drawn one as they seek to retain their league title.

They have won their first six away league games for only the second time, after the 1991/92 campaign.

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma