La Liga roundup: Benzema nets two, Madrid wins 1st game after World Cup break

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Playing his first match since his World Cup hopes have been dashed by an damage, Karim Benzema got here the rescue of Real Madrid with a pair of late objectives to grab a 2-0 victory at 10-man Valladolid on Friday.

Benzema had a subdued displaying in his first aggressive match since Nov. 2 following accidents that had restricted his availability for his membership and eventually sidelined him for his France at soccer’s elite competitors.

But the Ballon d’Or winner got here by way of within the ultimate minutes to offer Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect the three factors it wanted to provisionally transfer to the highest of the Spanish league standings.

Madrid additionally relied on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to maintain the rating deadlocked because it struggled to create possibilities in its first sport because the league paused for seven weeks for the event in Qatar.

Valladolid defended properly and threatened on the break at its José Zorrilla stadium till the sport lastly swung in Madrid’s favour when the video assistant referee noticed a handball within the space by defender Javi Sánchez.

Benzema stepped up and coolly slotted his penalty kick into the left nook as goalkeeper Jordi Masip fell the opposite option to seize the lead within the 83rd minute.

Valladolid’s probabilities of trying to find a late equalizer have been damage when striker Sergio León, one in every of its most incisive gamers, was proven a direct purple card apparently for utilizing inappropriate language whereas protesting the penalty resolution.

Benzema then obtained his brace within the 89th after a cross by substitute Eduardo Camavinga.

“Benzema played very well given that he had barely played in the last three months,” Courtois mentioned. “Maybe he was lacking a bit of pace. I bet the Karim of last year would have scored even more goals, but it is good for him to get this double.”

Before Benzema put Madrid forward, Courtois made two nice saves to disclaim León and midfielder Álvaro Aguado. Courtois used a one-handed diving save to cease Aguado’s long-range strike within the first half. He then obtained low to show again León’s header within the 68th.

“Courtois’ saves were decisive,” mentioned Valladolid coach Pacheta Martín, whose staff slid into fifteenth place.

Madrid moved one level forward of Barcelona on the high of the standings earlier than Xavi Hernández’s aspect performs a derby in opposition to Espanyol on Saturday.

Before kickoff, a second of silence was held in reminiscence of Brazil nice Pelé, who died on Thursday. Ronaldo, the previous Brazil and Madrid star and the present proprietor of Valladolid, stood alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez within the stands through the tribute. Brazil ahead Vinícius Júnior closed his eyes and lifted his head upwards in midfield with the opposite gamers.

SEVILLA STALLED

Sevilla remained within the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo.

Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli overhauled his attacking scheme after playmaker Isco Alarcón, who had been used as a “false nine” earlier than the World Cup break, left the membership by mutual settlement final week. In his place, Sampaoli began his two large strikers, Youssef En-Nesyri and Rafa Mir.

Celta’s Gabri Veiga chipped Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou within the thirty third after Iago Aspas met his run with a superbly weighted cross after Veiga had recovered the ball. It was the 20-year-old Veiga’s fourth aim of the season.

After Sevilla did not generate scoring possibilities within the first half, Sampaoli despatched on Erik Lamela for En-Nesyri at halftime.

Moments after Celta’s goalkeeper pushed Lamela’s shot onto the put up, Kike Salas headed within the ensuing nook kick to degree the rating within the 54th.

Sevilla completed with 10 males after José Carmona was proven a second yellow card within the 86th.

Argentina defender and world champion Marcos Acuña began for Sevilla.

OTHER RESULTS

Borja Mayoral struck twice within the second half to assist earn Getafe to a 2-0 win over Mallorca.

Lucas Pérez’s late aim salvaged Cádiz a 1-1 draw at residence with Almería.