Staff Reporter.
Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao to move level on points at the top of La Liga.
Athletic’s Raul Garcia was sent off early on after two bookings for fouls on Toni Kroos, who put Real ahead with a first-time drive before the break.
Ander Capa equalised for Athletic at the second attempt after he had a shot saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Benzema scored twice to win the game for Real, heading in and then drilling an injury-time second.
That clinching goal came moments after Courtois denied Mikel Vesga an equaliser with a fine save.
Real have now won four games in a row in all competitions as they continue to turn their season around.
Following the match, Zidane said he thought his countryman was the best striker in France’s history.
“For me, yes. What he’s doing, he shows it, he’s played at Real Madrid for a long time, more than 500 games,” Zidane said. “His goals, his trophies, what he’s done, they speak for themselves. For me he’s the best, yes, it’s clear.
“He’s a more complete player now but he’s always shown it, he isn’t a pure No. 9 only thinking about goals. That’s why I love him. He doesn’t only have that in his head. He links up, passes to teammates, that’s what I like in football, and he has both things.
“Today he didn’t have a great game but in the end he still scored two goals, that’s what Karim has.”
Benzema said: “It was a really important game for us. We’re on the right track. We attack and defend together as a team. When we’re at this level, things turn out well for us.”
A third consecutive league win took third-placed Real on to 26 points after 13 games, level with second-placed Atletico Madrid and leaders Real Sociedad but having played two games more than Atletico.
Barcelona, who are nine points behind the trio, host Real Sociedad on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).