Karim Benzema heads in a beautiful deliver by Toni Kroos against Fenerbahce in the Audi Cup. To watch the Audi Cup, sign up to ESPN+.
A trio of hat-trick heroes made their way on to our top 10 list, but Karim Benzema’s stood out in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. Our global editors pick their top 10 performers from the weekend.
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Also receiving votes: Ishak Belfodil (TSG Hoffenheim), Carlos Bacca (Villarreal).
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A second half hat-trick from Karim Benzema earns Real Madrid all 3 points as they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said Karim Benzema is the “best No. 9 in the world” after the Frenchman’s hat trick in the 3-0 La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao.
Benzema headed Madrid in front from Marco Asensio’s cross just after half-time and nodded in a second when Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin missed Luka Modric’s corner. He saved the best until last as he chipped into an empty net after another Herrerin error in added time.
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The former Lyon forward has now scored each of Madrid’s last…
Marcelo’s season to forget continued against Leganes, the Brazilian again failing to convince.
Real Madrid’s slow and tortuous end to 2018-19 continued with a very underwhelming 1-1 La Liga draw at near neighbours Leganes on Monday evening.
Positives
Just six games left now in 2018-19, and then the “changes” that coach Zinedine Zidane keeps talking about can start to actually take place. While this is not how Madrid had hoped to be starting a Champions League quarter-final week, 1-1 is not such a bad result, considering Leganes had beaten Barcelona and drawn with Atletico Madrid at their…
Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid picked up a 4-1 win at Real Valladolid.
Real Madrid did not play very well but still got some badly needed respite with a 4-1 victory at a very poor Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday.
Positives
Santi Solari’s team at least ended a run of four straight defeats with a victory that keeps them firmly in third place in the La Liga table, mostly thanks to upping their intensity and focus in the second half. They also have one fewer game left to play now until their horror show 2018-19 ends.
Negatives
A remarkably disorganised defence…
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid last summer has given Karim Benzema the chance to play his “true football,” the French forward has told France Football.
Ronaldo was the focal point of the Madrid attack from when he arrived in the Spanish capital — at the same time as Benzema — in 2009 until the Portuguese superstar headed for Juventus last summer.
Benzema, who had been a prodigy as a striker at Lyon, had often been seen as playing second fiddle to his prolific teammate, teeing up…
Real Madrid began their biggest week of the season so far with a straightforward 3-0 league win over Alaves at the Bernabeu, the goals coming from Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Mariano Diaz.
Positives
Benzema continued his hot streak with a fifth goal in seven days, while teenager Vinicius was again excellent and deserved his first La Liga goal: surely, his first of many. Fit-again Mariano also showed himself another option in attack. A fifth straight victory in all competitions is Madrid’s…
Karim Benzema’s brace gave him five goals in his last three games and 15 for the season, three more than he had all of last campaign
Real Madrid eased into the Copa del Rey semi-finals with two sweet Karim Benzema strikes setting up a 3-1 win on the night and 7-3 progression on aggregate.
Positives
Madrid survived Girona’s fast start and matched their opponents’ intensity. Second, two further pieces of evidence that Benzema is the most in-form No. 9 around at the moment secured passage to the last four. Marcos Llorente’s performance and goal in midfield was another big plus. Coach Santiago Solari now has almost a full squad…
Red-hot Karim Benzema continued what may be the best spell of his 10-years run at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid returned to third place in La Liga after an entertaining 4-2 victory at Espanyol on Sunday evening.
Positives
Blancos fans who were bored by their team just a few weeks back will have enjoyed a second 4-2 victory in four days. Karim Benzema’s opener on 187 seconds was Madrid’s quickest goal of the season, with collective intensity from first whistle a big difference to lethargic starts earlier in the campaign. Big players Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are hitting their best…