Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao: Benzema brace saves below-par Blancos
The Frenchman hit two goals to go with Toni Kroos's opener as Madrid won a tight game
Karim Benzema struck twice for a below-par Real Madrid to earn them an important win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao, pulling them level with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table on 26 points.
Real Madrid went with the same team that beat rivals Atletico at the weekend, except with Fede Valverde in for the suspended Casemiro.
Zidane’s side created little in the first half, despite Athletic being reduced to 10 men within 13 minutes. The former Atletico battler saw two yellow cards in the opening stages and got his marching orders.
Inaki Williams appealed for a penalty shortly before the second after being knocked down in the box, but the officials waved it away.
Madrid took the lead just before half-time, with Toni Kroos smashing home from distance into the bottom left corner, after the ball broke loose to him on the edge of the box.
Athletic fought back early in the second hack after Madrid began badly, with Ander Capa levelling at the second attempt with Thibaut Courtois keeping out his first effort.
Vinicius Junior put the ball in the net at the other end but was offside, but Madrid fought their way ahead when Karim Benzema headed in a Dani Carvajal cross from a well-worked corner.
Mikel Vesga might have equalised for Athletic but was denied by a great Courtois save and Madrid broke, with Benzema firing home to wrap up the win.
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