A hat-trick from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid thrash Almeria 4-2 to get back on the winning trail in LaLiga on Saturday.
Madrid were able to call on Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez and Karim Benzema following the horror 4-2 defeat to Girona, with Luka Modric out through injury.
Los Blancos started strong and took the lead after five minutes when Vinicius Junior's trademark run left of the area resulted in a low cross to the far post which Karim Benzema turned home.
The French superstar went close to doubling his and the team's tally through a rasping attempt in the area following a ball in, but it was kept out by goalkeeper Fernando Martinez.
Real did though grabbed a second goal before the midway point when Rodrygo showed great strength down the line and his layoff met a certain Benzema who kindly completed his brace with a first-time finish.
Los Blancos continued to up the ante as Benzema bagged a first half hat-trick with a simple finish from the penalty spot after Largie Ramazani clipped Lucas Vazquez right of the area.
Ramazani redeemed himself five minutes later when he pushed up down the left and rolled in a low ball for Lazaro to find an empty net.
The defending champions continued bombing forward as a fourth came when Rodrygo picked up a pass from Dani Ceballos and thumped in seconds after the break.
Almeria still put up a courageous fight and got a second before the midway exchange in the second stanza as Lucas Robertone sneaked in the box and nodded in at the near post.
Rodrygo looked to grab his second goal and give Real a fifth with a lofted effort in the area following Benzema's pass, but he went wide of the mark.
Two changes from the host came later on which saw the self-same Rodrygo come off for Marco Asensio and Nacho Fernandez brought on ahead of Toni Kroos.
Madrid had a couple more sights at goal in the latter stages, with both Benzema and Asensio hitting the woodwork although the game had already been wrapped up by then.
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