La Liga: Karim Benzema shines in Real Madrid’s win over Elche; Atletico held at Getafe

Image Source : AP Benzema’s late brace earned Madrid a 2-1 win over Elche on Saturday, reducing into Atlético’s lead on the prime after it was held 0-0 at 10-man Getafe.
For the second time in every week, Karim Benzema scored within the remaining minutes as Real Madrid gained floor on Atlético Madrid within the Spanish league title race.

Benzema’s late brace earned Madrid a 2-1 win over Elche on Saturday, reducing into Atlético’s lead on the prime after it was held 0-0 at 10-man Getafe.

Madrid closed the hole with its crosstown rival to 6 factors with 11 rounds remaining. Barcelona was left one level behind Madrid in third place earlier than it hosts Huesca on Monday.

Benzema’s brace got here six days after his 88th-minute purpose salvaged a 1-1 draw with Atlético.

Elche defender Dani Calvo headed the guests in entrance within the 61st minute at Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.

But Benzema responded with a 73rd-minute equalizer and added an beautiful half-volley from the facet of the world for the injury-time winner.

“It wasn’t an easy game against a team that was well organized. We know that we have to make an extra effort to get to the top of the table,” Benzema mentioned after taking his team-high tally to twenty objectives in all competitions this season.

Showing no sense of urgency, Madrid regarded set to pay for its complacency in opposition to an Elche facet whose purpose is to keep away from relegation. Elche gained its justifiable share of possession and restricted Madrid to a tame shot by Isco — till Benzema labored his heroics with the group’s title hopes in danger.

Coach Zinedine Zidane had left midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on the bench to relaxation them for Madrid’s upcoming Champions League match in opposition to Atalanta.

But after Calvo’s opener, the 2 playmakers went on and had a fast influence. Modric took a cross from Kroos earlier than he floated a cross to the far publish for Benzema to leap over his marker and nod the ball residence.

Elche retreated into its space as Madrid pressed for a second purpose. Casemiro had already threatened twice earlier than Benzema exchanged passes with substitute Rodrygo and blasted a left-footed shot from the left facet of the world past the attain of goalkeeper Edgar Badía.

“The players who came on gave us a different look. My second goal was pretty and worth three points, so I am as happy as can be,” Benzema mentioned.

Both Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard performed their first matches after being sidelined for a number of weeks with leg accidents. Ramos performed an hour as a starter. Hazard performed the ultimate quarter of an hour.

Madrid will host Atalanta on Tuesday within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League after profitable the away leg 1-0.

“I like the character my team showed,” Zidane mentioned. “Our comeback is constructive each for the league and to organize for Tuesday’s match.”

ATLÉTICO HELD

Atlético pressured Getafe early within the sport, forcing 4 fast corners and a save by David Soria to disclaim Yannick Carrasco.

But its assault stalled and Diego Simeone overhauled his lineup to provide it extra punch up entrance. João Félix went on at halftime, adopted by striker Moussa Dembele, winger Thomas Lemar, and left again Renan Lodi with 25 minutes to play.

Allan Nyom left the hosts a person down within the seventieth when he earned a direct purple card for recklessly driving his studs into the decrease leg of Lodi.

Atlético poured ahead with the additional house, and holes lastly appeared in Getafe’s protection.

Soria swatted away goal-bound pictures from Dembele and Félix earlier than Luis Suárez curled an beautiful chipped shot over the goalkeeper solely to hit the publish within the 83rd. Dembele additionally had a header that missed by inches within the ninetieth.

After profitable in eight consecutive rounds from mid-December via January, Atlético has gained simply three of its final eight league video games and let Madrid and Barcelona again into the title race.

Simeone, nevertheless, did not see the stalemate as a setback.

“For me this is a step forward. Draw or win, it is always positive to earn points,” Simeone mentioned. “Their goalkeeper had a great match and we couldn’t put it in. (But) in the second half we played well and I liked how we went on the attack.”

Atlético performs Chelsea on Wednesday and trails 1-0 within the final 16 of the Champions League.

OTHER RESULTS

Álex Fernández transformed a late penalty to provide Cádiz a 1-1 draw at Alavés, whereas Osasuna drew 0-0 with Valladolid.