Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's third goal in a 3-0 La Liga win over Mallorca at Estadio de Son Moix on March 14, 2022 in Mallorca, Spain. AFP
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's third goal in a 3-0 La Liga win over Mallorca at Estadio de Son Moix on March 14, 2022 in Mallorca, Spain. AFP
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Mallorca to make it 2-0. AFP
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Mallorca to make it 2-0. AFP
Real Mallorca's Slovakian defender Martin Valjent fights for the ball with Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema. AFP
Real Mallorca's Slovakian defender Martin Valjent fights for the ball with Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema. AFP
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, jumps to head home his side's third goal. It was the French striker's 413th career goal, to see him overtake Thierry Henry's previous mark. AP
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, jumps to head home his side's third goal. It was the French striker's 413th career goal, to see him overtake Thierry Henry's previous mark. AP
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, tries to beat Mallorca's Antonio Raillo, left and Martin Valjent. AP Photo
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, tries to beat Mallorca's Antonio Raillo, left and Martin Valjent. AP Photo
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Soccer Football - LaLiga - RCD Mallorca vs Real Madrid - Visit Mallorca Stadium, Palma de Mallorca, Spain - March 14, 2022 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema reacts REUTERS / Juan Medina
Soccer Football - LaLiga - RCD Mallorca vs Real Madrid - Visit Mallorca Stadium, Palma de Mallorca, Spain - March 14, 2022 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema reacts REUTERS / Juan Medina
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema reacts during the Spanish League football match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at the Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca on March 14, 2022. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema reacts during the Spanish League football match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at the Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca on March 14, 2022. (Photo by JAIME REINA / AFP)
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema reacts during the Spanish La Liga match against Mallorca. EPA
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema reacts during the Spanish La Liga match against Mallorca. EPA
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema leaves the pitch after suffering an injury. EPA
Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema leaves the pitch after suffering an injury. EPA

Sport

Football

Real Madrid's Benzema breaks Henry's French record but limps off ahead of el clasico

Benzema nets twice in 3-0 win over Mallorca but Madrid coach Ancelotti says striker and others will have to be assessed ahead of Sunday's meeting with Barca

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

March 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Karim Benzema wrote his name into the record books on Monday with a brace in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Mallorca, but the striker's night was soured when he was withdrawn injured that now puts his place in Sunday's el clasico in doubt.

Benzema's absence for the game against bitter rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu would come as a serious blow to Madrid, after the striker continued his scintillating recent run with two more goals at Son Moix to take his La Liga goals tally this season to 22.

After scoring a hat-trick to help Madrid defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the Champions League last week, the 34-year-old's penalty against Mallorca took his career tally to 412 goals, putting him one above Thierry Henry in the all-time list of French scorers.

Benzema then made it 413 for him and three for Madrid with a superb header late on, only to limp off in obvious discomfort with what looked like an injury in his lower left leg late on.

Vinicius Junior, who opened the scoring, and Rodrygo also suffered problems in the second half.

"We will look at it in the next few days," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "They don't seem like very serious things. Rodrygo was a knock, [Ferland] Mendy has felt something in his adductor and Karim, after a jump, didn't feel good. We'll see if they can recover for Sunday."

Victory took Madrid 10 points clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga and gives them a sizeable cushion over Barca despite the Catalan club's recent uptick in form.

Yet there will be no doubt Barcelona would love to rubberstamp their progress under Xavi with a victory at the home of their fiercest rivals while a win for Madrid would serve as further confirmation of their dominance this season.

"We have the advantage and it's good at this point in the season," said Ancelotti. "We have to think about winning on Sunday, that's all."

Real Madrid v PSG player ratings

REAL MADRID: Thibaut Courtois - 6: Made three comfortable first-half saves but was then deceived at near post by Mbappe for opening goal of game. EPA
REAL MADRID: Thibaut Courtois - 6: Made three comfortable first-half saves but was then deceived at near post by Mbappe for opening goal of game. EPA
Dani Carvajal - 5: Playing like a winger on right dragged powerful strike wide of target in 12th minute. Costly loss of possession led to counter-attack and Mbappe’s goal. Cynical booking for barging over same player in second half. EPA
Dani Carvajal - 5: Playing like a winger on right dragged powerful strike wide of target in 12th minute. Costly loss of possession led to counter-attack and Mbappe’s goal. Cynical booking for barging over same player in second half. EPA
Eder Militao - 7: Two vital challenges on Messi and then Neymar when former Barca pair were teeing-up shots just before break. Dominant and error-free at back for Real, unlike some PSG defenders at other end. EPA
Eder Militao - 7: Two vital challenges on Messi and then Neymar when former Barca pair were teeing-up shots just before break. Dominant and error-free at back for Real, unlike some PSG defenders at other end. EPA
David Alaba - 7: Former Bayern Munich defender was last man when Mbappe charged through in first half but couldn’t stop French striker scoring. Perfectly timed tackle to stop Mbappe scoring another early in second period. AFP
David Alaba - 7: Former Bayern Munich defender was last man when Mbappe charged through in first half but couldn’t stop French striker scoring. Perfectly timed tackle to stop Mbappe scoring another early in second period. AFP
Nacho - 6: Picked up yellow for tripping Hakimi late in first half and found Moroccan’s pace a problem for first hour of game until Real’s first goal when balance of game turned on its head and Nacho played his part. AFP
Nacho - 6: Picked up yellow for tripping Hakimi late in first half and found Moroccan’s pace a problem for first hour of game until Real’s first goal when balance of game turned on its head and Nacho played his part. AFP
Luka Modric - 8: Croatian midfielder had not been at his most influential then took charge of game on second half. Charging run to begin move for Benzema’s second and then provided pinpoint pass to striker’s feet to seal assist. Curled left-foot shot just wide in last couple of minutes. AP
Luka Modric - 8: Croatian midfielder had not been at his most influential then took charge of game on second half. Charging run to begin move for Benzema’s second and then provided pinpoint pass to striker’s feet to seal assist. Curled left-foot shot just wide in last couple of minutes. AP
Federico Valverde - 7: Picked out Benzema with cross in first half but attacker’s header sailed gently into Donnarumma’s hands. Another midfielder who helped Real turnaround game. EPA
Federico Valverde - 7: Picked out Benzema with cross in first half but attacker’s header sailed gently into Donnarumma’s hands. Another midfielder who helped Real turnaround game. EPA
Toni Kroos – 6: Recovered from hamstring injury to start in midfield and his perfect ball into middle picked out Benzema for French striker’s second missed headed opportunity. German didn’t look 100 per cent fit and came off before hour mark. AP
Toni Kroos – 6: Recovered from hamstring injury to start in midfield and his perfect ball into middle picked out Benzema for French striker’s second missed headed opportunity. German didn’t look 100 per cent fit and came off before hour mark. AP
Marco Asensio - 4: Couldn’t get into game and when half-chance did fall his way just after half-time, his control let him down and PSG cleared. Hooked early in second half. AFP
Marco Asensio - 4: Couldn’t get into game and when half-chance did fall his way just after half-time, his control let him down and PSG cleared. Hooked early in second half. AFP
Karim Benzema – 9.5: Thought he had opened scoring with curling shot but Donnarumma tipped narrowly wide of upright. Levelled scores on night after taking advantage of Donnarumma error. Then scored two goals in less than a minute to seal his second-half hat-trick. AFP
Karim Benzema – 9.5: Thought he had opened scoring with curling shot but Donnarumma tipped narrowly wide of upright. Levelled scores on night after taking advantage of Donnarumma error. Then scored two goals in less than a minute to seal his second-half hat-trick. AFP
Vinicius Junior - 8: Pace caused PSG early problems and looked like he might run riot but threat waned as first-half wore on. Back with bang after break. Heavily involved in all three of Benzema’s goals. Should have put Real 2-1 up but snatched at chance and fired over bar. AP
Vinicius Junior - 8: Pace caused PSG early problems and looked like he might run riot but threat waned as first-half wore on. Back with bang after break. Heavily involved in all three of Benzema’s goals. Should have put Real 2-1 up but snatched at chance and fired over bar. AP
SUBS: Rodrygo – (On for Asensio 57’) 7: Helped give Real some extra width and stretch the PSG defence. Reuters
SUBS: Rodrygo – (On for Asensio 57’) 7: Helped give Real some extra width and stretch the PSG defence. Reuters
Eduardo Camavinga – (On for Kroos 57’) 7: All of Carlo Ancelotti’s substitutes paid off and French midfielder helped change game. Getty
Eduardo Camavinga – (On for Kroos 57’) 7: All of Carlo Ancelotti’s substitutes paid off and French midfielder helped change game. Getty
Lucas Vazquez – (On for Carvajal 66’) 7: Harsh booking for minor touch on Mbappe. EPA
Lucas Vazquez – (On for Carvajal 66’) 7: Harsh booking for minor touch on Mbappe. EPA
PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5: Fantastic fingertip save at full stretch to turn Benzema shot round post 25 minutes in. Awful mistake to give ball away for Benzema’s opening goal and booked for protesting that he was fouled but error was own making. AP
PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5: Fantastic fingertip save at full stretch to turn Benzema shot round post 25 minutes in. Awful mistake to give ball away for Benzema’s opening goal and booked for protesting that he was fouled but error was own making. AP
Achraf Hakimi - 6: Given early headache down right by Vinicius Jnr’s pace but regained control and looked threat himself when bombing forward. Played Benzema narrowly onside for striker’s hat-trick finish and picked up a booking for fouling Vinicius Junior soon after. EPA
Achraf Hakimi - 6: Given early headache down right by Vinicius Jnr’s pace but regained control and looked threat himself when bombing forward. Played Benzema narrowly onside for striker’s hat-trick finish and picked up a booking for fouling Vinicius Junior soon after. EPA
Marquinhos - 3: Some uncharacteristic howlers from Brazilian. Captain gifted ball to Vinicius Jnr with ludicrous backheel flick just before half-hour mark and was lucky not to be punished. Gave ball straight to Benzema for Real striker’s third goal. Getty
Marquinhos - 3: Some uncharacteristic howlers from Brazilian. Captain gifted ball to Vinicius Jnr with ludicrous backheel flick just before half-hour mark and was lucky not to be punished. Gave ball straight to Benzema for Real striker’s third goal. Getty
Presnel Kimpembe - 6: France defender was solid at back and was rarely troubled in first half. Called on to tidy up when Ansensio threatened just after break but was booked late on as game slipped away from PSG. Getty
Presnel Kimpembe - 6: France defender was solid at back and was rarely troubled in first half. Called on to tidy up when Ansensio threatened just after break but was booked late on as game slipped away from PSG. Getty
Nuno Mendes - 6: Failed to time his run and was caught offside while setting up Mbappe’s disallowed first-half goal. Good going forward, not so convincing the other direction. Getty
Nuno Mendes - 6: Failed to time his run and was caught offside while setting up Mbappe’s disallowed first-half goal. Good going forward, not so convincing the other direction. Getty
Leandro Paredes - 6: Seventh-minute booking left him on knife-edge for rest of game and would have ruled him out of quarter-final first leg. Headed block on Valvderde blockbusting volley at start of second half. Getty
Leandro Paredes - 6: Seventh-minute booking left him on knife-edge for rest of game and would have ruled him out of quarter-final first leg. Headed block on Valvderde blockbusting volley at start of second half. Getty
Danilo - 7: Chased and harried Real, doing the donkey work for more esteemed attacking teammates but couldn’t stop Real’s second-half onslaught. Getty
Danilo - 7: Chased and harried Real, doing the donkey work for more esteemed attacking teammates but couldn’t stop Real’s second-half onslaught. Getty
Marco Verratti - 6: Helped dictate midfield along with Messi in first half but, like all his teammates, completely lost control of game in second. AFP
Marco Verratti - 6: Helped dictate midfield along with Messi in first half but, like all his teammates, completely lost control of game in second. AFP
Lionel Messi - 7: Linked up well with Mbappe and Neymar to set up first-half chances. Dinked one of those across goal himself but no teammate was there to finish. Influence and threat fell away as second half wore on until hitting roof of net with late free-kick. AFP
Lionel Messi - 7: Linked up well with Mbappe and Neymar to set up first-half chances. Dinked one of those across goal himself but no teammate was there to finish. Influence and threat fell away as second half wore on until hitting roof of net with late free-kick. AFP
Kylian Mbappe - 9: Had two early strikes saved by Courtois and then had ball in the net but disallowed for offside. Did score in 39th minute, drilling home into corner after PSG counter-attack. Rounded keeper and scored another just after break but again denied by offside flag. Getty
Kylian Mbappe - 9: Had two early strikes saved by Courtois and then had ball in the net but disallowed for offside. Did score in 39th minute, drilling home into corner after PSG counter-attack. Rounded keeper and scored another just after break but again denied by offside flag. Getty
Neymar - 6: Shot easily saved by keeper after linking up with Mbappe and Verratti. Sent Mbappe through for opening goal with first-time ball. Anonymous second 45 minutes. AP
Neymar - 6: Shot easily saved by keeper after linking up with Mbappe and Verratti. Sent Mbappe through for opening goal with first-time ball. Anonymous second 45 minutes. AP
SUBS: Idrissa Gueye – (On for Paredes 71’) 5: Midfielder brought to try and give PSG a bit of control back into game that Real were dominating but couldn’t turn tide. AFP
SUBS: Idrissa Gueye – (On for Paredes 71’) 5: Midfielder brought to try and give PSG a bit of control back into game that Real were dominating but couldn’t turn tide. AFP
Angel Di Maria – (On for Danilo 81’) N/A. AP Julian Draxler – (On for Hakimi 88’) N/A.
Angel Di Maria – (On for Danilo 81’) N/A. AP Julian Draxler – (On for Hakimi 88’) N/A.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Tomorrow 2021
Book%20Details
%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EThree%20Centuries%20of%20Travel%20Writing%20by%20Muslim%20Women%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEditors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiobhan%20Lambert-Hurley%2C%20Daniel%20Majchrowicz%2C%20Sunil%20Sharma%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndiana%20University%20Press%3B%20532%20pages%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
More on this story:
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

Results
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EElite%20men%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Amare%20Hailemichael%20Samson%20(ERI)%202%3A07%3A10%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Leornard%20Barsoton%20(KEN)%202%3A09%3A37%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Ilham%20Ozbilan%20(TUR)%202%3A10%3A16%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Gideon%20Chepkonga%20(KEN)%202%3A11%3A17%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Isaac%20Timoi%20(KEN)%202%3A11%3A34%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EElite%20women%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Brigid%20Kosgei%20(KEN)%202%3A19%3A15%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Hawi%20Feysa%20Gejia%20(ETH)%202%3A24%3A03%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Sintayehu%20Dessi%20(ETH)%202%3A25%3A36%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Aurelia%20Kiptui%20(KEN)%202%3A28%3A59%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Emily%20Kipchumba%20(KEN)%202%3A29%3A52%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
%3Cp%3EStage%204%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Juan%20Sebastian%20Molano%20(COL)%20Team%20UAE%20Emirates%20%E2%80%93%203hrs%2050min%2001sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Olav%20Kooij%20(NED)%20Jumbo-Visma%20%E2%80%93%20ST%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Sam%20Welsford%20(AUS)%20Team%20DSM)%20%E2%80%93%20ST%0D%3Cbr%3EGeneral%20Classification%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders%20%E2%80%93%207%E2%80%B3%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20%E2%80%93%2011%E2%80%B3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470hp%2C%20338kW%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20620Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh491%2C500%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'C'mon C'mon'

Director:Mike Mills

Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman

Rating: 4/5

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Know your cyber adversaries

Cryptojacking: Compromises a device or network to mine cryptocurrencies without an organisation's knowledge.

Distributed denial-of-service: Floods systems, servers or networks with information, effectively blocking them.

Man-in-the-middle attack: Intercepts two-way communication to obtain information, spy on participants or alter the outcome.

Malware: Installs itself in a network when a user clicks on a compromised link or email attachment.

Phishing: Aims to secure personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Ransomware: Encrypts user data, denying access and demands a payment to decrypt it.

Spyware: Collects information without the user's knowledge, which is then passed on to bad actors.

Trojans: Create a backdoor into systems, which becomes a point of entry for an attack.

Viruses: Infect applications in a system and replicate themselves as they go, just like their biological counterparts.

Worms: Send copies of themselves to other users or contacts. They don't attack the system, but they overload it.

Zero-day exploit: Exploits a vulnerability in software before a fix is found.

Updated: March 15, 2022, 8:19 AM`
Karim BenzemaReal MadridBarcelonaLa Liga