Benzema continues to shine as Real Madrid pummel Mallorca

Madrid, Sep 22 (EFE).- Real Madrid routed Mallorca 6-1 here Wednesday night thanks to another outstanding performance by Karim Benzema, who notched two goals and a pair of assists, and a hat-trick by Marco Asensio.

Benzema got the Blancos rolling in the third minute at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when he gained possession of the ball after a blunder by Mallorca defender Josep Gaya and scored in a one-on-one opportunity against keeper Manolo Reina.

Asensio then started making the most of his first start of the 2021-2022 season when a cross by Rodrygo ricocheted off a defender and Reina and set up an easy score for the Spanish winger in the 24th minute.

Although Mallorca got on the scoreboard a minute later on a left-footed shot just inside the far post by South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in, Asensio received a pass from Benzema and scored from close range against Reina to stretch the home side’s lead to 3-1 just before the half-hour mark.

Real Madrid appeared to have extended their advantage further just after the intermission, although Benzema was called for a foul against Mallorca defender Joan Sastre on what would have been his second goal of the night.

But just a few minutes later, Asensio completed his hat-trick and made the score 4-1 on a left-footed blast from outside the penalty area off a pass from Benzema in minute 55.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Villarreal, started making substitutions.

But he left Benzema in long enough to get his brace in the 78th minute, with the Frenchman scoring his eighth goal in seven matches this season on a shot that ricocheted off two defenders before finding its way to the back of the net.

Isco, who had replaced Asensio in the 72nd minute, finished off the rout when he scored just inside the far post off a pass from Vinicius Junior in the 84th minute.

“As I’ve said many times, we have a good mix of youth and experience. The quality of our young players is very high. They showed that today, but we can’t forget that experience is a very important part of soccer. I liked the fact that players who are getting little playing time are ready, like Asensio, Isco, (Luka) Jovic. It’s a very good sign for the squad,” Ancelotti said afterward.

With the win, Real Madrid moved into first place in LaLiga ahead of Atletico Madrid, who defeated Getafe 2-1 on Tuesday. EFE

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