Karim Benzema managed yet another milestone by scoring for Real Madrid in Sunday afternoon's disappointing loss to Espanyol. The Frenchman saw his side's trip to Catalonia end in a 2-1 defeat although they maintained their grip on top spot in the league.
The recent difficulties of Carlo Ancelotti's side persisted as they endured their first setback of the new campaign with the result at the RCDE Stadium. In an afternoon in which many expected a turn around for the former league champions, it was the league returnees who rather staged an upset to secure the maximum three points. The Barcelona club opened the scoring through former Madrid player Raul de Tomas in the 17th minute.
15 minutes after play resumed for the second half, the host added to their tally through Alex Vidal, with the assist coming from Keldi Bare. The visitors then found their mojo back and managed an equalizer through Karim Benzema before subsequently having two goals disallowed. With the Meregues failing to get anything from the game, cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid closed down on them as the pair a now tied on 17 points at the top of the table.
On a personal level, Benzema registered his ninth goal of the season, taking his goal involvement for the season to 16 as he has managed 7 assists as well. As a result, he became the first player after only Cristiano Ronaldo to have 16 or more goal involvement for Real Madrid in the first eight matches of the season in the 21st century. The French striker has now been directly involved in 73% of Real Madrid's goals in La Liga this season.
Frustrating result but we have to keep fighting… #Nueve #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Yy8PhmU3le
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) October 3, 2021
