Madrid (AFP)

The Karim Benzema guarantee: with a goal and an assist, the French center-back again became decisive to offer Real Madrid the victory against Alavés on Friday (2-0), on the 35th day of Liga, and four points ahead of Barcelona in the final sprint for the title.

The armband gave him wings: in the absence of Sergio Ramos, it was a Benzema captain who transformed the penalty caused by the electric Ferland Mendy (11th) before serving Marco Asensio, who only had to push the ball into the empty cage (51st) to seal the victory.

The White House has taken another step towards a 34th coronation in La Liga, three days before the end of the championship (July 19). But this victory against Alavés in the fight for maintenance (17th) is likely to once again chat in Spain.

- Another penalty -

Tried for arbitration decisions which are often favorable to them, the Merengues won again on Friday thanks to a validated penalty at the edge of the penalty area, then a second goal by Asensio refused at first for an offside by Karim Benzema, then very justly accepted with the help of VAR by referee Rodriguez Carpallo, entered at the break for his first La Liga match in place of Gil Manzano, hit in an ankle.

It was believed that Benzema (32) would not return after half time: before giving way to Eden Hazard (82nd) ​​by complaining about the back of his right thigh, the French striker, author of his 18th goal and his 8th assist in La Liga this season, put one knee on the ground before the break, surrounded by Real's doctors, and complained, wincing at the back of the neck.

But "KB9", in full swing for the best season of his career at Real, came back to tread the lawn of the small Di Stefano stadium, two weeks after his magic heel for Casemiro, and led Real in his wake. Barça moves Saturday (5.30 p.m. GMT) to Valladolid.

- Mendy locomotive -

The White House had lost some of its best ramparts - Dani Carvajal and suspended Ramos, Nacho and Marcelo injured - but it was able to count on a Thibaut Courtois who again confirmed his rank as the best goalkeeper in Spain, a Luka Modric in form, and above all a five-star French side, Ferland Mendy, who has managed to make all those absent forget.

The locomotive Mendy (25 years old) probably signed his best match on Friday since his arrival at Real in July 2019 for six years and 48 M EUR: he multiplied the calls in his left corridor, hesitating to offer himself in attack all by winning almost all of his defensive duels, still relying on his physique above average, and caused the penalty transformed by Benzema (11th).

With Hazard's return, Mendy's confirmation is a big positive for Zidane, who lost the Brazilian Marcelo to the same position at the end of the championship, due to an injury to the left adductor announced on Friday.

Impressive in efficiency and with a cold ability to manage his match, Real de Zidane has once again proven its stranglehold on the Liga: it is its 8th success in a row since the recovery.

It is difficult to see what could now prevent Real from winning a 34th title of Spanish champion, which would be the second of "Zizou" coach: in the event of Barça's defeat on Saturday and Real's victory against Granada on Monday, the title will be acquired.

© 2020 AFP