La Liga: Benzema, Vinicius score to put Real Madrid 10 points clear atop the table
Real Madrid survived 45 minutes of a physical slugfest to outlast Mallorca on the road, with two goals and an assist from talisman Karim Benzema to win its 20th match of the season and go 10 points clear at the top of the Spanish league table.
Vinicius Junior was also a key contributor, scoring the opening goal and winning the penalty that Benzema eventually deposited for a 2-0 lead.
Despite the three points that pushed the club closer to the La Liga title, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for Los Blancos, who will be sweating a few key injuries ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico. Most notably, Benzema came limping off a few minutes after his second goal, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with a headache ahead of the season’s marquee matchup.
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Rodrygo also came off injured, with a more serious looking issue, needing to be carried off the field and down the tunnel after a bad foul by Mallorca defender Antonio Raillo. Ferland Mendy was also withdrawn in the second half with what appeared to be an issue.
Still, Madrid will cherish the result that sees them put one hand on the league trophy. A 10 point lead with 10 matches to go seems nearly insurmountable, and the rest of the league will be picking at scraps the rest of the way.
Still, Madrid will cherish the result that sees them put one hand on the league trophy. A 10 point lead with 10 matches to go seems nearly insurmountable, and the rest of the league will be picking at scraps the rest of the way.
