Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 on the Santiago Bernabeu to transfer inside eight factors of Barcelona on the prime of LaLiga.
After Girona and Rayo Vallecano dealt the highest two shock midweek defeats, Madrid had the prospect to cut Barca’s lead – a minimum of briefly earlier than the Blaugrana face Real Betis.
Benzema ensured they seized that chance in emphatic style, benefitting from wonderful assists from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo earlier than stroking dwelling a 3rd from the penalty spot.
Lazaro and Lucas Robertone netted both aspect of a long-range fourth from Rodrygo as Almeria fought gallantly, however Madrid had been in the end deserved winners.
8 – @Benzema has scored three hat-tricks in his final eight video games with @realmadriden in all competitions, identical as of their earlier 120 appearances with Los Blancos. Steamroller. pic.twitter.com/IH20JyxZTP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 29, 2023
Benzema was closely concerned from the off and had already examined Fernando Martinez by the point he opened the scoring 5 minutes in, tapping dwelling after Vinicius darted down the left to cross with the skin of his boot.
His second, arriving after 17 minutes, owed a lot to Rodrygo, who turned Samu Costa with an excellent piece of ability earlier than teeing up Benzema to sweep dwelling.
Largie Ramazani headed broad as Almeria sought a response, however the winger was then at fault as Benzema clinched his hat-trick, tripping Lucas Vazquez to permit the Frenchman to convert from the spot.
Almeria clawed one again on the stroke of half-time, Lazaro tapping in Ramazani’s low cross from the left.
But any hopes of a comeback had been extinguished inside three minutes of the restart, when Rodrygo rifled into the top-right nook after discovering house on the sting of the world.
Almeria hit again once more when substitute Robertone headed previous Thibaut Courtois, however Madrid remained in management – twice going shut to a fifth when Benzema shot in opposition to the publish and Eduardo Camavinga had a header dominated offside.
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