Real Madrid took control of the Spanish title race by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 away on Sunday to move top of La Liga above Barcelona after a second-half high on controversy.
Ramos converted a 50th-minute penalty kick and Benzema added to the lead in the 70th to move Madrid in front of the Catalan club, which on Friday was held by fourth-place Sevilla to a 0-0 draw.
Madrid and Barcelona are levels on 65 points, but Madrid has a better goal difference and a better head-to-head record against its rival.
Race for the glory
Real Madrid had led five of the last seven rounds before the break, but Barcelona went in front just before the league was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic more than three months ago.
Barcelona had stayed ahead after two straight victories since the league restarted. The defending champions have eight rounds left to try to retake the lead.
Ramos broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Vinícius Júnior fell inside the penalty spot with the minimal of contact you would ever see to be awarded a penalty kick, and Benzema sealed the victory from inside the area for his third goal after the break.
The French striker – who had a double in the team’s 3-0 win over Valencia on Thursday reached 17th league goals, four behind scoring leader Lionel Messi.
Sociedad had a goal disallowed for offside just before Benzema’s goal. Mikel Merino eventually pulled the hosts closer in the 83rd with a shot that struck the crossbar before going in, but Sociedad was not able to get the equalizer.
Big moments went against Sociedad
Zidane’s team had benefitted from a Valencia goal that was chalked off for an offside against a player who had not touched the ball and there was a tangible sense of deja-vu when Januzaj’s equaliser was ruled out due to Merino’s position.
“We’re angry with everything but mainly with the way we lost, because the little details and the big moments went against us,” said Merino.
“I was at least five metres from Courtois when I was flagged offside. I don’t know if the same thing would have happened had it been in the other area but the flag went up and we feel that we have been wronged.”
It was the third straight setback for Sociedad since the league resumed, dropping the club to seventh place.
It had returned from the break in fourth place, the final Champions League spot.
With Ligue 1 and Bundesliga already concluded their champion and Liverpool looking the obvious winners of Premier League, There’s only Serie A and La Liga who are yet to procure their winners as tough battles between Lazio – Juventus; Barcelona – Real Madrid taking place for the title glory.
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