La Liga: Benzema's double against Elche helps Real Madrid overtake Barcelona to second place

La Liga: Real Madrid gave up the lead in the second half against Elche in their decisive encounter, but a late double from Karim Benzema helped them come back and score 3 crucial points on Saturday.

Karim Benzema’s double helped Real Madrid score 3 crucial points against Elche on Saturday (Reuters Photo)

STAND OUT

  • Real Madrid beat Elche 2-1, thanks to Benzema’s latest win
  • The victory put Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona to second place in the league standings
  • The current champion, Real Madrid, is 5 points behind the leader Atlético de Madrid, who has one game less

Real Madrid’s bid to defend the La Liga title is very much alive, as the champions managed a comeback over Elche in their league match on Saturday at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.

The victory placed Real Madrid in second place in the standings with 57 points, five behind leader Atlético de Madrid, who visits Getafe later on Saturday and one ahead of third-placed Barcelona, ​​who host the Huesca on Monday.

Real Madrid needed all 3 points on Saturday to keep up with leaders Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but they slid to 0-1 in the 61st minute when Elche defender Dani Calvo headed one into the net.

El Real did not lower his shoulders against a determined Elche and continued to advance. The pressure worked when Karim Benzema headed in the tie in the 73rd minute. Just when it looked like Madrid would finish with just one point from the game, Benzema scored a winning goal in injury time – an exquisite volley to put Real 2 -1 ahead.

Benzema has been in good shape with Real in the recent past. It was the star forward who scored a late goal in an equalizer against Atlético de Madrid last week.

Zinedine Zidane’s move of not starting with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric worked against him, but the French tactician put the midfielder duo on shortly after Elche took the lead. Saturday’s victory also marked the return of captain Sergio Ramos, who underwent knee surgery two months ago.