Madrid has a six-point advantage over its Catalan foe, who will play host to Villarreal in seventh position on Thursday. For the reigning champs, it was their ninth victory in 10 games. The only unbeaten team in the league is Madrid.
Referee Jess Gil Manzano and Karim Benzema exchanged glances before laughing. The winner of the Ballon d’Or could not stand to have another of his goals overturned. He had already scored twice, but due to offside, neither goal was recognised.
But that third one succeeded, as Madrid defeated Elche 3-0 on Wednesday to extend its lead in the Spanish league after defeating Barcelona in the season’s opening “clásico” on Sunday.
On Thursday, Madrid will play Villarreal in seventh position, opening up a six-point advantage over its Catalan opponent. The defending champions achieved their ninth victory in ten games. In the league, only Madrid is still unbeaten.
Real Sociedad and Mallorca’s game was earlier delayed for roughly 15 minutes due to the illness and subsequent death of a Sociedad supporter who was in the stands.
The goals scored by Benzema in the sixth and 61st minutes were disallowed for offside. Benzema earned the Ballon d’Or award for best player of the year on Monday. He additionally
Rodrygo’s back-heel assist for Benzema’s goal from inside the area in the 75th minute did count, though, and the French forward could laugh about it after Manzano finally recognised the goal.
The 21-year-old Rodrygo added, “It’s the first time they cancel three goals for my squad. “It was an odd game, but we’re glad we scored three more goals and won in the end.”
In the eleventh minute, Federico Valverde used the outside of his left foot to shoot from just beyond the box and score the game’s first goal.
In the 89th minute, Rodrygo provided another assist, and substitute Marco Asensio completed the scoring.
Carlos Clerc attempted a header in the 70th minute, but Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, made a brilliant reaction save to prevent the equaliser.
Elche, the only team without a victory in the Spanish league so far this year, had drew two straight games, including one at Valencia last weekend.
A RUNNING SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad defeated Mallorca 1-0 at home in the sixth minute thanks to a goal by Mikel Merino. This was Real Sociedad’s eighth straight victory overall.
An unwell Sociedad supporter forced the game’s start to be postponed. Assisting him in the stands and transporting him to a hospital, where he was later declared dead, were emergency professionals who were called in.
In honour of the supporter and his family, the team and players dedicated the victory.
With two points more than Atlético Madrid, who was restricted to a 1-1 draw, the victory propelled the Basque Country team into third place in the Spanish league.
The victory put the Basque Country club two points ahead of Atlético Madrid in third position in the Spanish league after the latter’s 1-1 home draw against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday.
For Sociedad, it was their fifth straight league victory.
Mallorca fell to 15th place after going winless in four league games.
BETIS HELD
After being held to a scoreless draw on the road against Cádiz, Real Betis plummeted to fifth place.
Cádiz, who is currently in second-to-last place and is still winless at home, has drawn four straight games. Claudio Bravo, the Betis goalkeeper, denied it several opportunities to win on Wednesday.
VALLADOLID’S SUCCESS
In its second victory in four games, Valladolid overcame Celta Vigo 4-1 at home thanks to two goals from Sergio Leon in a five-minute stretch in the second half.
The team led by former Brazil great Ronaldo climbed up to eleventh place with goals from Roque Mesa and Joaqun Fernández.
For Celta, which has lost three straight games and moved to 13th, Rodrigo Rodrguez scored.
