Brilliant Benzema back to his best as Real Madrid score four in win over Almeria
All of Almeria’s previous three games had witnessed a goal in the opening 10 minutes, but it took just five for Los Blancos to cut through their backline.
Vinicius Junior breezed past Houboulang Mendes, before squaring the ball for Benzema to clinically score his 15th La Liga goal of the season. The Frenchman didn’t have to wait long for the sequel either, applying a cool finish after sensational work from Rodrygo to beat Samu Costa teed him up.
All the same, there were still some positive moments for the visitors, as Cesar de la Hoz delivered an inviting cross that was headed marginally wide by Largie Ramazani before Vinicius was left so frustrated that the Brazilian got himself booked for dissent – a show of petulance further embossed by the fact that he will now miss Real’s next game.
However, Ramazani then turned villain for the visitors, by lazily bringing down Lucas Vazquez inside the area. Benzema decisively slid in the spot kick to complete his fifth-ever Blancos hat-trick.
While it might not have been enough for him to escape a dressing down at the interval, Ramazani made amends somewhat four minutes later, teeing up Lazaro for a simple finish seconds before the break.
However, Real responded after the interval with an even quicker start than they had managed in the first period, as the badly under-marked Rodrygo turned on the edge of Almeria’s box and rifled a strike out of Fernando Martinez’s reach.
Although the game was truly up for Almeria by now, Lucas Robertone offered some inspiration from the bench, and he punished a mistake from Toni Kroos, heading in Francisco Portillo’s cross just four minutes after his introduction.
But Real continued to prowl, and there was still enough time for VAR to deny Benzema a chance of completing his quadruple from the spot before the Frenchman struck the post as the end of the 90th minute loomed.
Real ultimately cruised to a fifth win in six games, building yet more momentum ahead of their imminent Copa del Rey final and UEFA Champions League semi-final battles.
As for Almeria, their relegation troubles remain ever-present but manager Rubi is unlikely to panic after this defeat, as his eight changes to the team that had beaten Getafe indicate that he was always focused on ensuring his men beat Elche next time out.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)