Benzema shines in Real’s victory

MADRID:A second half double from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory at Girona on Sunday and maintain their perfect La Liga start in the postcristiano Ronaldo era.

Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale also netted for the European champions, who appear to have put the disappointment of their Super Cup defeat to neighbours Atletico Madrid earlier this month behind them.

“We were trying to force things in the first half attack-wise and misplacing too many passes,” coach Julen Lopetegui said.

“You play better when the scoreboard is in your favour. Girona pressured us in the first half, making life difficult for us and the side showed their collective mentality to come through it,” he went on to add.

After seeing Benzema denied by a linesman’s flag in the opening stages, Real were given an early scare and found themselves behind after 17 minutes when former B-team player Borja Garcia put the Catalans in front with a composed finish.

Real were indebted to a number of fine saves from goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was selected ahead of new signing Thibaut Courtois, as Girona side looked to double their advantage.

However, Eusebio Sacristan’s side were made to pay for their profligacy when Marc Muniesa felled Marco Asensio in the box just before half time.

Ramos coolly chipped the ball into the roof of the net from the ensuing penalty before Asensio won another spot kick from which Benzema netted his first.

Bale then gave a glimpse of his searing pace when he latched onto an Isco through ball to score in his sixth consecutive league appearance

He then set up Benzema’s second from close range ten minutes from the end to seal victory for Real, who have maximum points after two matches, while Girona remain on one.

SEVILLA HELD

Sevilla also had a chance to win two in a row but it could not manage more than a 0-0 draw against Villarreal at home.

Sevilla forward Yasser Ben Yedder nearly broke the deadlock in the 90th, but his shot struck the post.

Villarreal, which finished fifth last season, had opened with a home loss against Real Sociedad.