REPORT | 15/12/2020 | Alberto Navarro
Kroos put Real Madrid ahead with a fine strike from range, only for the Basques to level but the French frontman then sealed victory in the last 15 minutes.- La Liga
- Matchday 19
- Tue, 15 Dec


Zinedine Zidane's troops kept plugging away in search of an opener and came close to making the breakthrough in the 41st minute. Luka Modrić's cross was met by Vinicius Jr. inside the six-yard box but Unai Simón produced heroics to keep the ball out with his chest. In the next move, Valverde came close when his shot on the half-turn sailed over the bar. Just when it looked as if the sides were destined to go in all square at the break, up popped Toni Kroos with a sublime strike. Vinicius Jr. found the German, who unleashed a driven right-footed shot from just outside the D to make it 1-0.
Benzema claimed his third double of the season.
Not long after the restart, the game took another twist as Athletic drew level with 52 minutes on the clock. Capa went through one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois after linking up with De Marcos and the goalkeeper kept the first attempt out but was helpless to stop the defender making it 1-1 from the rebound. Zidane sent on Isco and Asensio in place of Vinicius Jr. and Valverde and the chances continued to flow. With 74 minutes gone, Madrid got the reward their efforts merited when Marco Asensio's corner saw the ball played back to Dani Carvajal and he crossed for Benzema to power home a header.
Benzema makes sure
The game wore on, until deep into injury time, Athletic had a fine chance to equalise when Vesga was clean through against Courtois but the keeper stood up superbly to deny him. The potential leveller and the definitive 3-1 scoreline were separated by a matter of seconds, as Modrić’s measured through ball was finished beautifully by Benzema to complete his brace. Madrid have now won their last four games and conceded just a single goal.