FOOTBALL:Karim Benzema hat-trick helps Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2

• RealMadrid returned to winning ways on Saturday evening with a 4-2 victory over Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu
• The Los Blancos currently sit eleven points behind FC Barcelona following their win over Real Betis later on Saturday

Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Saturday evening with a 4-2 victory over Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema scored a first half hat-trick as Carlo Ancelotti’s side got back on La Liga’s win column this weekend. Benzema scored two close-range goals after receiving passes in the box from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes. His third goal was a penalty, which he converted after Lucas Vazquez was brought down in the box.

Almeria pulled one goal back through Lazaro Vinicius a few seconds before the end of the first half. Rodrygo fired Real Madrid’s fourth barely two minutes after the restart and Almeria had their second of the evening in the 62nd minute.

Speaking after the win, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his side for their brilliant attacking display. He also spoke about conceding more goals saying it doesn’t worry him.

“In attack the team is very dangerous, with the quality of Karim, Vini [Vinicius Junior], Rodrygo, we were good with the ball. In some games we get it right and offensively it goes very well. It doesn’t worry me [Real Madrid conceding more goals]. I know what this team can do defensively, After six clean sheets, we’ve conceded six goals in two games. We relaxed.” ESPN quotes Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid moved to within eight points of Barcelona on the table after their win at home. However, they currently sit eleven points behind Xavi Hernandez’s men following their win over Real Betis later on Saturday.

How Real Madrid Beat Almeria 

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the fifth minute after positioning himself in the perfect place to finish Vinicius’ pass. The lethal attacker doubled Real Madrid’s lead 12 minutes later after a brilliant display by Rodrygo, who went past Almeria’s defender with a backheel dribble before crossing the ball.

Karim Benzema scored his third goal of the day from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute. This was after Lucas Vazquez was fouled inside the box. Benzema’s hat-trick saw him become La Liga’s fourth-highest goalscorer. The French talisman has 236 La Liga goals and is behind Lionel Messi (474), former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (311) and Zarra (252).

Lazaro put Almeria back into the game by scoring from point-blank range a few seconds before half time. However, Rodrygo’s goal from the edge of the box after the start of the second half ensured the hosts had full control of this match.

Real Madrid could have scored more but they wasted their chances. They had a second penalty heading into the game’s final ten minutes but the referee reversed his decision after a VAR review.

Benzema was unlucky as he hit the post afterwards from the edge of the box. Eduardo Camavinga’s goal was ruled offside and Real Madrid had to settle with just four goals against Almeria.

Source:Sports Leo