LALIGA: Benzema overtakes Raul as Real Madrid thrash Elche 4-0

<p>Karim Benzema became Real Madrid’s second-highest LaLiga scorer of all time as Los Blancos eased past bottom side Elche in a 4-0 victory.</p>, <p>The Madrid captain was on target twice from the penalty spot at Santiago Bernabeu, where Marco Asensio had broken the deadlock, while Luka Modric completed the rout later on.</p>, <p>Benzema surpassed legendary striker Raul by taking his Spanish top-flight tally for the club to 230 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo (311) netting more.</p>, <p>ALSO READ: U-23 AFCON: Nigeria to host Guinea-Bissau in first-leg of final qualifying round</p>, <p>With Barcelona in Europa League action on Thursday, Carlo Ancelotti’s side capitalised by closing the gap on the league leaders to eight points.</p>, <p>Fresh from claiming a record-extending fifth Club World Cup crown, Madrid took the lead in the eighth minute. Receiving the ball from Dani Carvajal, Asensio weaved through a couple of challenges before slotting past Edgar Badia.</p>, <p>Benzema doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark when he calmly tucked away from 12 yards after his header had been blocked by Enzo Roco’s hand.</p>, <p>ALSO READ: See who Brazil appointed as interim coach to replace Tite</p>, <p>Madrid star Benzema repeated the feat in first-half stoppage time, sweeping past Badia after Diego Gonzalez felled Rodrygo.</p>, <p>The hosts looked to stretch their advantage further after the break. Badia kept Rodrygo out twice in as many minutes, while the Elche goalkeeper also denied Benzema his hat-trick.</p>, <p>Benzema and Eduardo Camavinga were marginally off target and Asensio drew smart reflexes from Badia with his fierce volley as Madrid looked to put the icing on the cake.</p>, <p>And they eventually did 10 minutes from time when substitute Modric controlled in the box before superbly drilling into the top corner.</p>