Madrid (AFP)
Thanks to a hat-trick from Marco Asensio and a still stratospheric Karim Benzema, Real Madrid swept the promoted Mallorca 6-1 on Wednesday at the Santiago-Bernabeu for the 6th day of La Liga, and takes back control of the standings ahead of Atlético Madrid, short winner Tuesday in Getafe (2-1).
The pillars of Real are still standing!
Asensio, born in Mallorca and trained at the club until 2015, passed three goals to his former team in his first start of the season, and Karim Benzema scored two goals and provided two assists to ride the wave of his start of the season.
Benzema already has 8 goals and 7 assists in the first six matches of the season in La Liga, higher figures than Lionel Messi in the 2011-2012 season (8 goals and 5 assists) and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2014-2015 season ( 13 goals and 1 assist).
The formidable efficiency of "KB9" and the precision of Asensio, who did not celebrate any of his goals out of respect for his former team, somewhat eclipsed Eduardo Camavinga's first start.
- Camavinga holder -
The French prodigy came out to applause in the 60th, after taking the time to treat the public with a spectacular hook (10th).
Ditto for his center-forward compatriot, released to an ovation in the 80th.
Real midfielder Marco Asensio (g) author of a hat-trick against Mallorca, September 22, 2021 in Madrid GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
A full evening for Carlo Ancelotti's men, who confirmed their status as the most stable team among the favorites for the final coronation, and who delighted their audience, with a tempting attacking game.
The Madrilenians took control of the match from the start.
Karim Benzema, back in Blue this summer just before the Euro, took advantage of a failed control by Josep Gaya to adjust a cross shot and deceive Manolo Reina in the 3rd minute.
Kang-In Lee then immediately responded to the first goal of Asensio (24th), tearing the white curtain by its axis.
But the multiple in-depth calls from Vinicius and Rodrygo, and the subtle combinations orchestrated in the opponent's area got the better of the Mallorcan defense.
- Neck control -
At the half-hour mark, Karim Benzema, again, served a ball in a deep touch for Asensio, who scored his second goal ... Then a third, back from the locker room, still on a pass from Benzema (55th).
And the French center forward could even have panicked the counters a little more, if his goal from the left in the 49th had not been refused for a slight prior hook on the defender who marked him.
The French of Real Madrid Karim Benzema and Eduardo Camavinga during the match against Mallorca, September 22, 2021 in Madrid GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
He caught up at the end of the match, with magnificent neck control and a cross shot that ended in the back of the net (78th), before Isco's final achievement (84th).
For the second match of the season at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium (still under construction), Real honored their fans.
After the 5-2 inflicted on Celta Vigo, the "White House" had six more goals in Mallorca on Wednesday.
A frenzied pace that Benzema and his family will have to maintain during the poster on Saturday (9 p.m.) for the 7th day of the championship against Villarreal d'Unai Emery, who beat Elche 4-1 on Wednesday night.
© 2021 AFP