Karim Benzema scored a brace on Tuesday to enable Real Madrid to a 3-1 win.© AFP
Karim Benzema spared Real Madrid’s blushes on Tuesday with the winning brace which shot the reigning champions to a 3-1 win more than Athletic Bilbao that draws them level on points with La Liga Leaders Real Sociedad. Frenchman Benzema headed residence a cross from Dani Carvajal with 16 minutes remaining to place Real ahead against battling Bilbao, who had fought back to level earlier obtaining lost Raul Garcia to two quickfire bookings in opening minutes.
Toni Kroos had offered the hosts the lead in Madrid with a thumping strike on the stroke of half-time, but Ander Capa rocked the capital club six minutes soon after the break when he shot previous Thibaut Courtois at the second time of asking.
The 32-year-old Benzema had other tips on the other hand, placing his group in front prior to creating confident of the points in stoppage time with a clinical finish soon after collecting Luka Modric’s pass.
Third-placed Madrid gained their fourth straight win in all competitions and are equal on 26 points with Sociedad, who face troubled Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, and nearby rivals Atletico Madrid.
Tuesday’s match was the game in hand which Real had on Sociedad, when Atletico have played two games fewer than their two title rivals.
Barca are nine points back but play 1 of their two games in hand in the hope of providing some momentum to what has been a miserable season so far.