Benzema stars in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Cadiz
Cadiz, Spain, Apr 21 (EFE).- Real Madrid have provisionally moved to the top of the LaLiga table with a 3-0 victory Wednesday over Cadiz at Ramon de Carranza Stadium in this southern city.
Karim Benzema was the key figure for the Blancos in a behind-closed-doors match in which both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were both out due to physical problems.
The Frenchman was involved in all three goals, which were scored over a span of just 10 minutes.
The first came at the half-hour mark after VAR determined that Vinicius Junior had been brought down in the area by Cadiz right back Isaac Carcelen. Moments later, Benzema curved his shot from the penalty spot past Cadiz net minder Jeremias Ledesma.
Just three minutes later, Benzema lofted a cross to an unmarked Alvaro Odriozola, who headed home from inside the goal box.
The Frenchman then completed his brace at the 40-minute mark when Cadiz failed to clear the ball out of their area and instead allowed Casemiro to find his teammate for another header from inside the goal area.
The big halftime lead was more than welcome for Zinedine Zidane’s men, who made five second-half substitutions to give key players including Benzema and Vinicius Junior some much-needed rest ahead of several key LaLiga and Champions League games.
With the win, Real Madrid have provisionally leapfrogged Atletico Madrid into first place in what has shaped up as a four-team battle for the LaLiga title.
Both teams have 70 points, although the Blancos, who have six LaLiga games remaining in their season, have the edge in head-to-head points.
Atleti, however, have a game in hand and can retake the top spot with a victory at home over Huesca on Thursday.
In other LaLiga action on Wednesday, Sevilla (67 points) provisionally jumped into third place past FC Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Levante in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia.
But Barcelona (65 points) have two games in hand on both Sevilla and Real Madrid – and one game in hand on Atletico Madrid – and can climb back into third place with a home win on Thursday over Getafe. EFE
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