BENZEMA SCORES REAL MADRID’S 1,000TH GOAL IN EUROPE’S TOP CLUB COMPETITION
■ Karim Benzema scored twice, including Real Madrid’s 1,000th goal in Europe’s top club competition, as the Spanish powerhouse defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to take the lead in its Champions League group yesterday. Benzema netted the club’s milestone goal in European Cup-Champions League games after the Shakhtar defense gave the ball away less than 15 minutes into the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Fernando equalized for the visitors before halftime but Benzema got the winner in the second half.