Real Madrid emphatically returned to winning ways by sauntering to a 4-2 La Liga victory over Almería, with Karim Benzema’s hat-trick helping Los Blancos maintain their perfect record in head-to-head encounters at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.All of Almería’s previous three games had witnessed a goal in the opening 10 minutes, but it took just five for Los Blancos to cut through their backline. Vinícius Júnior breezed past Houboulang Mendes, before squaring the ball for Benzema to clinically score his 15th La Liga goal of the season. The Frenchman didn’t have to wait long for the sequel either, applying a cool finish after sensational work from Rodrygo to beat Samú Costa teed him up.YOU CAN WATCH BENZEMA’S FIRST GOAL HERE.YOU CAN WATCH BENZEMA’S SECOND GOAL HERE.Rodrygo / Redondo 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/qPSCH9afe1— RAMOS 4 MADRIDI (@firasalhoseun) April 29, 2023 All the same, there were still some positive moments for the visitors, as César de la Hoz delivered an inviting cross that was headed marginally wide by Largie Ramazani, before Vinícius was left so frustrated that the Brazilian got himself booked for dissent – a show of petulance further embossed by the fact that he will now miss Real’s next game. However, Ramazani then turned villain for the visitors, by lazily bringing down Lucas Vázquez inside the area. Benzema decisively slid in the spot kick to complete his fifth-ever Blancos hat-trick.YOU CAN WATCH BENZEMA’S THIRD GOAL HERE.While it might not have been enough for him to escape a dressing down at the interval, Ramazani made amends somewhat four minutes later, teeing up Lázaro for a simple finish seconds before the break. However, Real responded after halftime with an even quicker start than they had managed in the first period, as the badly under-marked Rodrygo turned on the edge of Almería’s box and rifled his strike out of Fernando Martínez’s reach.YOU CAN WATCH LAZARO’S GOAL HERE.YOU CAN WATCH RODRYGO’S GOAL HERE.Although the game was truly up for Almería by now, Lucas Robertone offered some inspiration from the Rojiblancos’ bench, and he punished a mistake from Toni Kroos, heading in Francisco Portillo’s cross just four minutes after his introduction. But Real continued to prowl, and there was still enough time for VAR to deny Benzema a chance of completing his quadruple from the spot, before the Frenchman struck the post as the end of the 90’ loomed.YOU CAN WATCH ROBERTONE’S GOAL HERE.Real ultimately cruised to a fifth win in six games, building yet more momentum ahead of their imminent Copa del Rey final and UEFA Champions League semi-final battles. As for Almería, their relegation troubles remain ever-present – but manager Rubi is unlikely to panic after this defeat, as his eight changes to the team that had beaten Getafe indicate that he was always focused on ensuring his men beat Elche next time out.This season for Real Madrid:22-year-old Vinicius (20+ goals, 20+ assists)22-year-old Rodrygo (10+ goals, 10+ assists)What a duo ✨ pic.twitter.com/HrgShPVyk0— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 29, 2023 LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 32Friday Osasuna – Sociedad 0-2 (0-1)/Herrera 6 og, Kubo 90/Saturday Elche – Rayo Vallecano 4-0 (1-0)/Morente 45+1, Boye 52, Fidel 53, Gumbau 72/Real Madrid – Almeria 4-2 (3-1)/Benzema 5, 18, 42 pen, Rodrygo 47 – Lazaro 45+1, Robertone 61/22.00: (1.40) Barcelona (5.10) Betis (10.0)Sunday 15.00: (3.00) Cadiz (3.25) Valencia (2.65)17.15: (1.89) Villareal (3.70) Celta (4.70)19.30: (2.60) Espanyol (3.15) Getafe (3.20)22.00: (5.60) Valladolid (3.80) Atl.Madrid (1.73)Monday 20.00: (3.50) Mallorca (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.40)22.00: (2.06) Sevilla (3.45) Girona (3.80)***odds are subject to change***
