Karim Benzema scored twice inside the final half-hour in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Mallorca. Los Piratas had held Los Blancos at bay during the first half but the floodgates opened when Vinicius Jr scored in the 55th minute.
One could be excused for forgetting that Real are presently the favorites to win the La Liga title crown, such was their underwhelming start at a relegation-threatened Mallorca on Monday night.
Presented with an early chance, Benzema shot straight at goalkeeper Sergio Rico from a tight angle – but that was as close as Los Blancos got to opening the scoring inside the first period while also creating very few clear-cut chances. Mallorca, meanwhile, created openings of their own but were lacking the final-third ruthlessness that has caused them to sink as low as 16th in the table.
Things changed after the break; Carlo Ancelotti’s men, remembering that a title is on the line, were boosted by a sense of urgency. That paid off in the 55th minute when Los Blancos won the ball back high inside the Mallorca half before Benzema quickly squared the ball to Vinicius for a simple tap-in from close range. There was still a goalkeeper between him and the goal, but the youngster picked his spot precisely and with confidence.
The Brazilian would play a key role in Real Madrid’s second goal of the night, too. The youngster surged inside the box as Benzema stood his marker to the left of the goal. An overzealous Brian Olivan shoved the attacker onto the ground, presenting Real with a penalty – which Benzema duly converted in the 77th minute, putting his side in complete control of the game.
That was the Frenchman’s 21st goal of the season – he is currently leading the scoring charts – and moments later, he would score his 22nd. The ball worked its way to Marcelo from a corner, and the left-back’s swerving cross was headed in by Benzema to ensure the league leaders of three points.
With the win, Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of the table to ten points, while Mallorca were left looking down at the relegation scrap, where the competition grows more fierce with each passing week.
