Karim Benzema once again the decisive factor for Real Madrid
The French striker is in great form and has so often been his side's saviour
Karim Benzema is on a run. Often criticised in the past for not being the typical No.9, for not scoring enough goals, he's taken huge steps forward when Real Madrid have needed him most.
In Vigo, he scored twice against Celta in the first 45 minutes in La Liga on Saturday in a 3-1 win. He also set up the late third for Marco Asensio.
Benzema has now scored eight goals in his last six appearances, matching his best-ever goal-scoring run for the club (eight in six between January and February 2016).
He's scored in games against Getafe, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Elche (2), Atalanta and now Celta (2).
With Zinedine Zidane's fighting to stay in the La Liga title race and win the Champions League, the French forward has responded with goals.
At a moment when his side was struggling to find the back of the net, Benzema has been at his most effective.
🤩 ¡𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬! 🤩
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) 20 de marzo de 2021
⚽⚽ @Benzema#CeltaRealMadrid | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Qqe7qlG5JS
Against Celta, he netted his sixth brace of the season. The first goal game from a Toni Kroos control and, after a great first touch, allowed him to open the scoring in the 21st minute.
The second arrived shortly after to double Madrid's lead before Celta pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 and set up a nervy second half at Balaidos. Iago Aspas also nicked an equaliser, hitting the post from a free-kick, before Benzema raced clear to square for Asensio to seal the points with the last kick of the game.
Benzema, who joined Madrid from Lyon in 2009, has now scored 272 goals for Los Blancos in 545 appearances.
Madrid are now three points behind Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand, and one clear of Barcelona, who travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
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