Benzema - Real Madrid's guardian angel

Real Madrid managed to continue their undefeated streak to 6 games, winning 4 out of those, thanks to one and only Karim Benzema. It was not easy in Vigo against the tough Celta side but the squad of Zinedine Zidane kept their cool and took all three points to the Spanish capital. Final score 1-3 at Municipal de Balaidos.

Los Blancos opened the game strong - had possession, looked for spaces between the defensive lines of Celta. Few half-chances and attempts gave the impression a goal is near. And it was.

Reigning champions of La Liga had to wait 20 minutes before they took the lead. And who else - Benzema! His 16th goal of the season (the next best scorer is Casemiro with four.) Toni Kroos teed up Benzema on the edge of the box and he fired the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 0-1.

Ten minutes later the same player made it 0-2. Incredible Benzema, who is keeping Real close to the top almost by himself, pounced on a loose ball inside the box and defeated the goalkeeper with a shot into the bottom left corner.

But the hosts did want to go without a fight. Their best player this season Santi Mina scored in the 40th minute. Perfectly taken free-kick cross by Denis Suarez - he sent a cross in and Mina leaped high to connect with it on the edge of the goal-box. His close-range header went into the bottom left corner and the score was 1:2.

The second half belonged to the home team. Celta were the more determined side but Real somehow survived. Real struggled to bring back the intensity they had in the first 45 minutes of the match and Celta kept pressuring.

Even though Real had more attempts, Celta's opportunities were more dangerous. In the 83rd minute, Iago Aspas could have leveled via a great free-kick shot but his shot hit the right post of Thibout Courtois.

Celta had the possession in the last 20 minutes, pushed the ball towards the goal of Courtois but Real's defensive line did their best to save the lead Benzema brought. The guests just wanted to hear that full-time whistle as soon as possible.

However, in all that fuss, Benzema produced another goal for his team - this time with an assist to Marco Asensio in stoppage time. Frenchman played a terrific short cross over to the Spaniard in the 94th minute. Asensio found space inside the box and put the ball into the back of the net.

With these three points, Real hold second place with 60 points, Atletico are first with 63 and a game less while Barcelona have 59 points and also a game less.

LA LIGA - ROUND 28

Friday

Real Betis – Levante 2-0 (0-0)

/Fekir 70', Juanmi 75'/

Saturday

Athletic Club – Eibar 1-1 (1-1)

/Berchiche 9' - Kike 17'/

Celta Vigo – Real Madrid 1-3 (1-2)

/Mina 40' - Benzema 20', 30', Asensio 90+4/

20.30: Huesca – Osasuna

23.00: Real Valladolid – Sevilla

Sunday

16.00: Getafe – Elche

18.15: Valencia – Granada

18.15: Villareal – Cadiz

20.30: Atletico Madrid – Deportivo Alaves

23.00: Real Sociedad – Barcelona