Mueez Ajao
– Karim Benzema scored his 12th league goal of the season as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao in a narrow 1-0 win at the Bernabeu on Wednesday to move seven points clear at the top of the LaLiga table.
– Benzema slotted home in the 40th minute — after Marco Asensio’s shot had been palmed to Luka Modric by goalkeeper Unai Simon — to put Madrid ahead.
– Athletic had already spurned a series of first-half chances, and there was more wasteful finishing for the visitors after half time as the home side managed to hold onto their narrow lead.
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– Madrid’s victory in the rearranged matchday nine clash left the league leaders on 36 points, with some breathing space ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and third-placed Real Sociedad, who they travel to on Saturday.
– Madrid started well, looking to move the ball at pace to stretch a well-organised Athletic defence which had conceded the fewest goals in LaLiga this season.
– Asensio had a shot deflected wide, and Benzema and Vinicius Junior combined twice for the France forward to test goalkeeper Unai Simon.
– The home defence looked vulnerable too, though, and Athletic’s Inaki Williams saw a deflected shot fly inches wide before a mix-up between David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois left Williams in on goal, only for his touch to let him down.
– Courtois saved Raul Garcia’s close-range header and a Toni Kroos effort from distance was almost fumbled by Simon, before Benzema gave Madrid the lead.
– A fluid passing move ended with Asensio’s shot being pushed away by Simon, only for the rebound to land at the feet of Modric, whose miskick fell to Benzema for a straightforward finish.
– In the second half, Kroos curled wide, while at the other end Lucas Vazquez prevented an equaliser by acrobatically blocking Dani Garcia’s goal-bound shot after a smart Athletic move down the right.
– Madrid’s victory was still far from secure. Athletic substitute Oihan Sancet went close after a twisting run into the Madrid box, but was denied by Courtois, while substitute Fede Valverde made a crucial block in the closing minutes.
