Spain: Karim Benzema and Real Madrid win Clasico against Barça and take the lead in La Liga
Thanks in particular to an express goal from Karim Benzema, Real Madrid won the 250th clasico in history against FC Barcelona 3-1 on Sunday October 16 at the Santiago-Bernabéu, and took control of La Liga alone after nine days, three points ahead of the Catalans.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Madrid, after a Vinicius strike was blocked by Marc-André ter Stegen, then Fede Valverde doubled the lead in the 36th minute, found in the center by Ferland Mendy after a perfectly exploited interception.
Ferran Torres, lonely at the far post, reduced the gap at the end of the match (83rd), but the Blaugranas no longer believed it. And in added time (90th + 1), Rodrygo took charge of transforming the penalty he himself caused to seal the merengue success.
Benzema-Lewandowski: 1-0
The French center-forward, huge favorite for the Ballon d’Or which will be awarded Monday in Paris, brilliantly won his showdown against the reigning European double Golden Shoe Robert Lewandowski, well muzzled by Eder Militao and invisible to the Bernabéu on Sunday, except for a big missed opportunity in the 25th at the far post. The only one, almost, for the Catalans. Because in this one-sided match, only Benzema and his family shone.
“KB9” even scored twice after returning from the locker room (52nd), but his but was canceled for an offside position on Vinicius’ nice overthrow. Frustrating for the supporters, who waited for the final whistle to sing the chants “Karim, Balon de Oro!” (“Karim, Ballon d’Or!”, in Spanish).