Benzema brace bags win for Madrid

Real Madrid picked up another three points in LaLiga after getting the better of Elche in the postponed matchday 21 meeting. Our team all but decided the game before half-time, heading in 3-0 at the break thanks to Asensio's goal and Benzema's double, which saw him move into second on the club's all-time goalscoring list in LaLiga (230). Modrić put the icing on the cake with a beautiful strike in the second half.

The world champions stormed out the blocks and were ahead inside nine minutes when Asensio picked the ball up between the lines, wriggled inside Magallán and Raúl Guti and tucked home a gorgeous effort that grazed the post on its way in. Five minutes before, Militão had already come close with a fierce long-range drive which whistled just wide of the target. Real Madrid were creating chances for fun and Rodrygo crossed just on the 15-minute mark for Benzema, whose diving header failed to test the goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, Valverde tried his luck with a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box which did force Edgar Badía into a fine stop.

Those chances were the preamble to Madrid's second goal, which came on the half-hour mark. Carvajal put the ball into the six-yard box from the right wing and Benzema's header struck Roco's arm. It was a clear penalty that the captain converted to make it 2-0, surpassing Raúl to become the club's second all-time top scorer in LaLiga. It was not quite half-time yet though, and Real Madrid would score again from the penalty spot before the break. Rodrygo was brought down inside the box by Roco in stoppage time and Benzema made no mistake from the spot for his 230th league goal.

Modrić corker
Real Madrid were enjoying themselves as were a buzzing Bernabéu by this point and they could have scored again in the 51st minute when Rodrygo only had the keeper to beat, but a tight angle made it tough and Edgar Badía was up to the challenge. The goalkeeper performed well again from another Benzema shot, after an individual move in the 54th minute, and then from Asensio's close-range volley ten minutes later. But he was unable to do so in the 80th minute after Modrić's precise right-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. The Croatian's strike topped off the win against Elche nicely.