Karim Benzema scored a rapid first-half hat trick within seven minutes for Real Madrid as they demolished Real Valladolid 6-0 in La Liga. His third goal was to be a thing of beauty.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or Winner benefitted from the international break, allowing him to focus on his intensive training technique. The Frenchman retired from international football after Argentina defeated France at the last World Cup.
The hat trick against Valladolid is Karim Benzema’s ninth all-time, and it is even more remarkable that the 35-year-old is fasting for Ramadan.
The Frenchman continues to add to his tally as one of Real Madrid’s most prolific scorers of all time with 345 goals. He sits a century mark behind goal-scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo but is the first player in history to score 20-plus goals in 11 seasons for Los Blancos.
His first strike came in the 29th minute when Vinicius Jr. found Benzema making a darting run toward the goal. The striker connected with the pass using his head, scoring a low header 3 yards out.
Benzema doubled in the 32nd minute when Vinicius Jr. one-timed the Frenchman about 40 yards out. Benzema dribbled three times before smashing the ball home within the penalty arc.
The third goal in the 36-minute was a work of art, an overhead kick to seal the hat trick. It matched the one he put on Barcelona back in 2016.
On Wednesday, Benzema looks to continue his hot form against Barcelona in the Copa Clasico. Real Madrid trails behind Barcelona in La Liga by twelve points and faces Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 12.
Photo: Instagram/karimbenzema
