Asensio continues to impress as Madrid win 5-3 at Betis
Marco Asensio continued to impress as the 22-year-old forward scored twice to help Madrid tame Betis.
Asensio headed in after Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike was parried by Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan in the 11th.
Betis pressed Madrid back into its area and Aissa Mandi headed in Joaquin Sanchez’s pass to equalise. A counterattack led by Sanchez ended with a shot by Junior Firpo that Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez put into his own net to give Betis a 2-1 lead before halftime.
But Madrid picked Betis apart after Sergio Ramos scored with a header from a corner in the 51st. Dani Carvajal set up Asensio for his second after an inspired run before Ronaldo blasted a fourth goal past Adan in the 65th for 4-2.
Betis wasn’t through and Firpo crossed for Sergio Leon to score with five minutes remaining, only for late substitute Karim Benzema to finish off Betis in stoppage time.
Madrid lost left back Marcelo to a right leg injury in the first half. Madrid has its return leg at PSG in the Champions League roundof-16 on March 6.
“We know the talent they have and they played well, so we can be happy with the win,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “We started well in the first 10 minutes and then we let our guard down as we do sometimes. But we responded, and responded well.”
Madrid remained 17 points adrift of Barcelona.