Real Madrid did exactly what you'd expect them to do against the worst team in La Liga, hammering Real Betis 5-0 on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Ángel Di María, Álvaro Morata and Karim Benzema all scored for Los Blancos with Benzema's strike being a little extra-special.
Real Betis vs. Real Madrid: Final score 0-5, Los Blancos pull even at the top for now
Karim Benzema scored his 100th goal in a Madrid shirt as Los Merengues steamrolled Real Betis.
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Despite a solid start from Real Betis, it took just under ten minutes for Cristiano Ronaldo to do what he does best...score a ridiculous goal.
The Ballon d’Or winner dribbled inside from the right wing, moving to within 25-yards of goal, while being given far too much space by the covering defender. Once he got enough space, Ronaldo uncorked a rising shot that rocketed into the top corner of the net past a helpless Stephen Andersen. The shot was so quick that the goalkeeper barely had time to turn his head as the ball whizzed past him.
Ronaldo created more problems for Betis in the 24th minute, earning a set piece 20 yards from goal. Gareth Bale took the ball and sent a looping free kick that went over the wall before dipping down and into the back of the net. Once again, Andersen was frozen in place and could only watch as the second goal of the match went right by him.
Betis missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back in the 40th minute when Léo Baptistão curled a low cross in front of the Madrid goal from the left side. Rubén Castro was in the right place but just missed connecting for the tap-in. Sergio Ramos was in front of Castro and his sliding attempt, even without touching the ball, might have distracted the striker enough to throw off his timing.
Madrid added a third goal right before halftime as Karim Benzema received a lovely short pass from Luka Modrić that allowed him to step up and blast a low shot past Andersen. The goal is Benzema’s 100th in a Real Madrid jersey, allowing him to join an illustrious list of players that includes Ronaldo, Raúl and Ferenc Puskás.
Keeping alive the spirit of spreading the goals around, Madrid added a fourth in the 62nd when Angel di María jumped on a poorly cleared corner kick and blasted a low shot from 35 yards out that once again left Andersen completely helpless. At least this time the keeper managed to get his fingertips on the ball but there was too much power on the shot for him to push it away.
Álvaro Morata scored a fifth goal in the 90th minute because why not.
Marcelo lofted a cross to Ronaldo who brought the ball down with an acrobatic overhead kick, directing the ball right to Morata for the tap-in. It helped that every Betis player stopped, believing Morata to be offside. The linesman’s flag, however, correctly stayed down.
The win pulls Madrid even on points with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid for the moment, as both of those teams play on Sunday.
Real Madrid: Diego López, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos (Nacho 73’), Marcelo, Alonso, Modric, Di María (Illarramendi (69’), Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema (Morata 76’)
Goals: Ronaldo (10’), Bale (25’), Benzema (45+1’), Di Maria (62’), Morata (90’)
Real Betis: Andersen, Torres, Paulão, Amaya, Didac, Mati, Sevilla (Juanfran 63'), Reyes (Caro 78'), Léo Baptistão, Molina, Rubén Castro (Vadillo 56')
Goals: None
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