Karim Benzema netted a first-half hat-trick to inspire Real Madrid to a 4-2 win over Almeria in LaLiga action Saturday.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 4-2 Almeria
Date: 29 April 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos were recalled to Los Blancos' midfield, while Karim Benzema and Lucas Vazques were also back in, with Marco Asensio and Dani Carvajal dropping to the bench.
After suffering a shock loss to Girona on Tuesday, Los Blancos got off to the perfect start as Karim Benzema opened the scoring on five minutes after a wonderful pass from Vinicius Junior.
The lead was doubled by the home side in the 17th minute, with Benzema completing his brace by turning home Rodrygo Goes' cross with a powerful finish into the bottom corner.
Almeria, meanwhile, struggled to get a hold of the ball for most of the first half, as went closest with a strike from distance on 37 minutes that sailed wide of Thibaut Courtois' upright.
The hosts were awarded a penalty four minutes later when Vazquez was brought down in the area by Largie Ramazani. Benzema stepped up and calmly slotted home from 12 yards to complete a first-half hat-trick.
However, Almeria did pull a goal back on the stroke of halftime when Largie Ramazani turned provider to tee up to Lazaro Vinicius for the simple tap-in from six yards out.
Los Blancos began the second half in similar fashion to the first, as Rodrygo got his name on the score-sheet two minutes after the break with a wonderful finish that left Fernando Martinez with no chance.
There was a bit of silence at the Bernabeu when Almeria halved the deficit just after the hour mark when Lucas Rebertone bagged his second goal of the campaign after being set up by Portillo.
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti re-shuffled the pack for the final 20 minutes as Toni Kroos and Rodrygo made way for Nacho and Asensio, while Cavajal replaced Rodrygo a little later.
Benzema nearly got fourth goal with four minutes left on the clock as a superb passing move ended Eduoard Camavinga teeing up the Frenchman, who saw his low strike hit the upright.
Nevertheless, the four goals were enough to get the defending Spanish champions back on the winning trail as Asensio was also denied by the frame of the goal in the closing stages.
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