Mueez Ajao
– Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema scored as Real Madrid extended their advantage at the top of La Liga to six points with victory over Elche.
– 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.
Also Read: All hail King Karim as Benzema wins Ballon d’Or
– Marco Asensio scored a third 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.
– Elche sit bottom of La Liga, and it was a tough night from the get-go with Benzema seeing a goal disallowed for offside in the build-up after six minutes.
– 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 like 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.
🏁 FP: @elchecf 0-3 @realmadrid
⚽ @fedeevalverde 12', @Benzema 75', @marcoasensio10 89'#ElcheRealMadrid | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/MKVTK9QMNY
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 19, 2022
– They have won their first six away league games for only the second time, after the 1991/92 campaign.
