Benzema and Asensio on target as Real beats Atletico in Madrid derby

 

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid in a straightforward 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.

The Los Blancos thus have extended their lead at the summit of the La Liga table with eight points above Sevilla in second place with a game in hand.

Both Madrid sides came into the derby with respective victories from their midweek UEFA Champions League games after Atletico bettered Porto in Portugal 3-1, while Real Madrid got past Inter Milan 2-0 as they both progressed to the UEFA Champions League next round.

After a cagey first ten Minutes, French forward Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 16th minute after hitting a low volley from a Vinicius Jnr’s cross past Jan Oblak.

The goal is his 13th this season in the La Liga as he is three clear of Vinicius Jr and Real Betis’ Juanmi.

Spanis forward Marco Asensio scored in the 57th minute of the second half as the Los Blancos continue to dominate the La Liga this season.

Meanwhile, Barcelona considered a very late goal in the 2-2 draw against Osasuna on Sunday afternoon. Xavi’s side led through González Iglesias in the 12th minute before Ezzalzouli restored the lead in the 49th minutes after García’s 14th-minute strike had levelled matters.

However, Ávila’s 86’minute goal ensured the points were shared as Barcelona completed a week where they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The draw is another frustrating point for Barcelona, with Xavi claiming the youngsters who shone in the game are not mature to be the Pillars of Barcelona’s recovery.

“The players who are making a difference at the moment at Barca are 17, 18, and 19 years old. It is very positive for the future of the club, but it is also negative – they are so young that they will not always have this level.

Abde [Ezzalzoul]’s game is spectacular, and those of Gavi and Nico, but they cannot be the pillars.” Xavi said.

 

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu