Benzema surpasses Raúl to become Real Madrid’s second all-time league top scorer

Karim Benzema’s two saves against Elche on Wednesday were historic. The Frenchman became the second top scorer in La Liga in the history of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid were 11 points behind Barcelona before Wednesday’s game, and would have moved back to 8 points if they had won against last-place Elche.

The home side did not want to be idle and opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Marco Asensio beautifully headed the ball in from the side, passed between two players and finished to the bar.

In the 31st and 45th minutes, Real Madrid played two penalties, first for a defender’s hand after Benzema’s header, then for a foul on Rodry. Both were taken by captain Benzema and converted safely. Luka Modric added a fourth goal in the 80th minute.

It was Benzema’s goals that were historic. The Frenchman has surpassed the domestic prince Raúl in the number of goals in La Liga and has 230 goals in the Spanish top flight. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (311) has scored more league goals for Los Blancos.

In the table of the overall top scorers in La Liga history, Benzema has moved up to fifth place and fourth is within reach. In fact, Hugo Sánchez has 234 goals to his name.

Top scorers in La Liga history

Benzema has also entered the battle for the Pichichi this season. Having spent the vast majority of the autumn out of favour, Robert Lewandowski seemed to have escaped and the Frenchman was out of the game.

But the Ballon d’Or winner has kicked on, scoring 11 goals in 13 games and is catching up with the Polish forward. Lewandowski has scored 14 goals.

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