For the second time in every week, Karim Benzema scored within the ultimate minutes as Actual Madrid gained floor on Atlético Madrid within the Spanish league title race.
Benzema’s late brace earned Madrid a 2-1 win over Elche on Saturday, slicing into Atlético’s lead on the prime after it was held 0-0 at 10-man Getafe.
Madrid closed the hole with its crosstown rival to 6 factors with 11 rounds remaining. Barcelona was left one level behind Madrid in third place earlier than it hosts Huesca on Monday.
Benzema’s brace got here six days after his 88th-minute aim salvaged a 1-1 draw with Atlético.
Elche defender Dani Calvo headed the guests in entrance within the 61st minute at Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
However Benzema responded with a 73rd-minute equalizer and added an beautiful half-volley from the aspect of the world for the injury-time winner.
“It wasn’t a simple sport in opposition to a workforce that was effectively organized. We all know that we’ve to make an additional effort to get to the highest of the desk,” Benzema mentioned after taking his team-high tally to twenty targets in all competitions this season.
Displaying no sense of urgency, Madrid appeared set to pay for its complacency in opposition to an Elche aspect whose aim is to keep away from relegation. Elche received its justifiable share of possession and restricted Madrid to a tame shot by Isco — till Benzema labored his heroics with the workforce’s title hopes in danger.
Coach Zinedine Zidane had left midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on the bench to relaxation them for Madrid’s upcoming Champions League match in opposition to Atalanta.
However after Calvo’s opener, the 2 playmakers went on and had a fast affect. Modric took a go from Kroos earlier than he floated a cross to the far put up for Benzema to leap over his marker and nod the ball dwelling.
Elche retreated into its space as Madrid pressed for a second aim. Casemiro had already threatened twice earlier than Benzema exchanged passes with substitute Rodrygo and blasted a left-footed shot from the left aspect of the world past the attain of goalkeeper Edgar Badía.
“The gamers who got here on gave us a distinct look. My second aim was fairly and value three factors, so I’m as completely happy as could be,” Benzema mentioned.
Each Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard performed their first matches after being sidelined for a number of weeks with leg accidents. Ramos performed an hour as a starter. Hazard performed the ultimate quarter of an hour.
Madrid will host Atalanta on Tuesday within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League after successful the away leg 1-0.
“I just like the character my workforce confirmed,” Zidane mentioned. “Our comeback is optimistic each for the league and to organize for Tuesday’s match.”
ATLÉTICO HELD
Atlético pressured Getafe early within the sport, forcing 4 fast corners and a save by David Soria to disclaim Yannick Carrasco.
However its assault stalled and Diego Simeone overhauled his lineup to provide it extra punch up entrance. João Félix went on at halftime, adopted by striker Moussa Dembele, winger Thomas Lemar, and left again Renan Lodi with 25 minutes to play.
Allan Nyom left the hosts a person down within the seventieth when he earned a direct crimson card for recklessly driving his studs into the decrease leg of Lodi.
Atlético poured ahead with the additional area, and holes lastly appeared in Getafe’s protection.
Soria swatted away goal-bound photographs from Dembele and Félix earlier than Luis Suárez curled an beautiful chipped shot over the goalkeeper solely to hit the put up within the 83rd. Dembele additionally had a header that missed by inches within the ninetieth.
After successful in eight consecutive rounds from mid-December by way of January, Atlético has received simply three of its final eight league video games and let Madrid and Barcelona again into the title race.
Simeone, nevertheless, did not see the stalemate as a setback.
“For me it is a step ahead. Draw or win, it’s all the time optimistic to earn factors,” Simeone mentioned. “Their goalkeeper had an excellent match and we couldn’t put it in. (However) within the second half we performed effectively and I appreciated how we went on the assault.”
Atlético performs Chelsea on Wednesday and trails 1-0 within the final 16 of the Champions League.
OTHER RESULTS
Álex Fernández transformed a late penalty to provide Cádiz a 1-1 draw at Alavés, whereas Osasuna drew 0-0 with Valladolid.