PostedAugust 29, 2022, 12:24 a.m.
FootballKarim Benzema responds to Robert Lewandowski
FC Barcelona outclassed Valladolid 4-0 on Sunday for the 3rd day of La Liga but remains behind Real Madrid, winner of Espanyol Barcelona 3-1 in the snatch.
Karim Benzema celebrated his title of best player of the season by UEFA as it should be.
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Applauded by the Camp Nou before kick-off for his first official match, French defender Jules Koundé quickly gave way to Robert Lewandowski: the Polish center-forward opened the scoring by extending his foot at the far post to take a cross from Raphinha (24th), then doubled the bet on a lucky heel after a pass from Ousmane Dembélé in the 65th.
Meanwhile, the young Pedri had scored the 2-0 goal in the 43rd, at the conclusion, already, of a clever pass from Dembélé to the penalty spot. And at the very end of the match, Sergi Roberto sealed the result, after a shot from “Lewy” was pushed back by the opposing goalkeeper.
“RL9” has adapted perfectly to La Liga: it is the fourth goal in three league games for the Polish goleador of Barça, who scored an express double last weekend in San Sebastian.
“He is an extraordinary player. Spectacular. A natural leader. It’s a blessing to have him with us, it’s wonderful, ”savored Xavi in a post-match press conference.
After their inaugural draw against Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 1, Barca made up for it in front of their home crowd on Sunday, a week after beating Real Sociedad 4-1.
Benzema replica
A few hours later, a few kilometers away, it was Karim Benzema who delivered the Madridians with two goals at the very end of the match to snatch the 3-1 victory at Espanyol Barcelona, in response to Lewandowski.
Despite Vinicius opening the scoring in the 12th minute, the Merengues stammered their football, and ended up being joined just before half-time, on a fine recovery from Joselu who managed to beat Thibaut Courtois in two stages ( 43rd).
But “KB9”, crowned Thursday’s best player of the season by UEFA in Istanbul, came out of hiding in the 88th to stretch the flat of the right foot to the far post on the fall of a center signed Rodrygo, and snatch the three points. And after additional time (90th + 10), the former Lyonnais even converted a direct free kick.
Espanyol’s French goalkeeper, Benjamin Lecomte, was sent off on a direct red card for a foul on Dani Ceballos outside the box, and it was central defender Leandro Cabrera who put on the gloves to slip into the post. goalkeeper, given that Espanyol had already made all their changes.
Thanks to this success on the wire, the Merengues return to the top of La Liga ahead of Betis Sevilla, winner of Osasuna 1-0 on Friday and which is also clear.
(AFP)