Real Madrid equalize with the leaders when Karim Benzema heads Athletic Club 10

Karim Benzema scored a second-half double for Real Madrid as Zinedine Zidane’s team continued their resurgence with a 3-1 victory over the 10-man Athletic Club.

Despite being Real Madrid’s fourth game in 10 days, Zidane only made one change to the team that beat Atlético de Madrid in Saturday’s derby, with Fede Valverde replacing the suspended Casemiro.

The visitors started off brilliantly, but were reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes when Raúl García received a second yellow card for a silly tackle on Toni Kroos on the edge of the opponent’s area.

Athletic Club did well to keep things tight at the back until injury time at the end of the first half when Toni Kroos shot from the edge of the box to give Real Madrid the lead.

Ander Capa restored the parity for Athletic Club seven minutes into the second half, putting a shot into the back of the Real Madrid net after Thibaut Courtois’ initial save from close range.

Benzema, however, put Real Madrid in the lead again with 16 minutes remaining, after a Dani Carvajal cross in the area to boost a home header, scoring his third goal in his last three appearances.

Courtois made a great save to deny Mikel Vesga in stoppage time before Real Madrid broke the field on counterattack to secure the points with a third goal and Benzema converted with a reverse shot.

This was Real Madrid’s fourth game in 10 days, but Zidane made only one change to the team that beat Atlético de Madrid on Saturday and it was a forced change (Valverde instead of the suspended Casemiro). Zidane has clearly settled on a group of players he trusts and, having rotated his squad a lot in the first leg of the season, the Frenchman now maintains his constant lineup to gain momentum. However, at what point will fatigue become a factor?

Carvajal’s return from injury has been a major factor behind Real Madrid’s resurgence, with the right-back producing two assists for his team in this game. The 28-year-old’s contribution is often overlooked, but he remains one of the best creative wingers in the game. Real Madrid are a better team with Carvajal involved and this was a demonstration of that as he prepared Kroos and Benzema for their goals.

Real Madrid: Courtois 8, Carvajal 8, Varane 6, Ramos 7, Mendy 7, Valverde 6, Kroos 7, Modric 6, Vázquez 5, Vinicius 6, Benzema 7. Subs: Rodrygo 6, Asensio 6, Isco 5.

Athletic Club: Simon 6, Capa 7, Yeray 6, Martínez 5, Yuri 6, Vencedor 5, D. García 5, Berenguer 6, R. García 1, De Marcos 6, Williams 5. Subs: Muniain 5, Cordoba 5, Vesga 6, Lekue 5, Villalibre 5.

13 ‘SENT! What a fool! Garcia received an early yellow card and now crashed into Kroos! The referee has no choice but to show the Athletic Club veteran a second yellow! It’s out!

45 + 1 ‘GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club (Kroos). Just when it seemed that Athletic Club could reach the break with a clean sheet intact, Real Madrid are ahead! Right at the edge of halftime! Vinicius returned the ball to Kroos and the German midfielder shot from the edge of the area.

52 & # 39; GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Athletic Club (Capa). The 10 men of Athletic Club have tied! Amazing! It wasn’t pretty, but Capa scores a shot at the back of the net after Courtois saved his initial effort. The visiting team had started the second half strong and now they have a reward for that!

74 & # 39; GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Athletic Club (Benzema). Benzemaaaaaaa! Real Madrid have regained the lead! Asensio throws a quick corner at Carvajal, the right-back hits a good ball in the area and Benzema was on hand to head Simon into the back of the net.

90 + 2 ‘What a chance! That should have been a late, late draw! The Real Madrid defense opened up for Vesga, but he couldn’t beat Courtois! Massive save by the Belgian goalkeeper there!

90 + 3 ‘GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Club (Benzema). Seconds after almost conceding a goal, Real Madrid conclude with a third! Benzema is fully played and the French forward is not wrong with his low shot to the back of the Athletic Club net. Very good finish.