Ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony Karim Benzema has made another valid claim as to why he deserves the award with his performance in Sunday's El Clasico. The Real Madrid skipper had the record book for the classic match-up revised by scoring his side's second-fastest goal at home in the super clash.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona entered the encounter level on point and either of the sides needed the win to break away and enjoy solitude at the top of the table. Eventually it was the hosts who capitalized on the promising start they had to fire themselves in front as French forward Karim Benzema was the quickest to react at the end of a ricochet to open the scoring. Watch:
IT HAD TO BE HIM.
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) October 16, 2022
BENZEMA SCORES HIS 12TH GOAL VS BARÇA#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/ajsIK4LGrh
In retrospect, Benzema's opener was Real Madrid's second fastest El Clasico goal at Santiago Bernabéu since the Frenchman himself scored the fastest-ever goal in the history of the clash back in March 2013. Back then, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner found the back of the net in just 5 minutes and 36 seconds, with the final scoreline ending 2-1 for the Whites. The strike on Sunday also made the former Lyon man the seventh top scorer in the history of La Liga with his goal tally now standing at 233.
A goal which sees him make .
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) October 16, 2022
@Benzema is now the SEVENTH TOP SCORER in #LaLigaHistory (223)!#ElClasico | #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/etjmaZc4F9
Following Benzema's feat, Fede Valverde and Rodrygo also found the back of the net to put the game to bed for Real Madrid. In-between the two goals, Ferran Torres was able to register a consolation goal for Xavi's men as they made it two successive games without a win in all competitions.