Karim Benzema scored one of the goals of the season so far as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The France international opened the scoring with a magnificent first-time strike from the edge of the box just three minutes into the match.
He then added a second four minutes later to stun the home crowd at San Mames.
π«π· @Benzema scored a brace in @realmadriden's last game of 2021 in #LaLigaSantander. π#AthleticRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/4ID77PFWN2
β LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) December 22, 2021

Oihan Sancet pulled a goal back for Bilbao to cap a crazy opening 10 minutes to the match.
But Madrid held on for the win to move eight points clear of closest rivals Sevilla at the top of La Liga.
Benzemaβs strike is already being touted a potential goal of the season winner.
βWhat a masterpiece from Benzema, a phenomenal curve shot,β wrote one fan on YouTube.
βBenzema is literally a different breed. He definitely is the main man after [Cristiano] Ronaldoβs departure,β added another.
Benzema was substituted late in the match on Wednesday and was given a standing ovation by the Basque crowd.
π King Karim. pic.twitter.com/3jZ5F5ylUy
β Real Madrid C.F. π¬π§πΊπΈ (@realmadriden) December 22, 2021
Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was pleased by the reaction of the Bilbao supporters.
βThat was fantastic,β said Ancelotti.
βThis is a stadium with a spectacular atmosphere. Itβs a true football stadium and Karim deserved that [ovation].β
Benzema shows no sign of slowing down at the age of 34 and has now racked up 20 goals in 23 appearances for Madrid this season in all competitions.
He has now scored 401 goals in his professional career and is only the second Frenchman to reach the landmark after Thierry Henry (411).
He is one goal away from becoming the fourth player to score 300 goals for Real Madrid, with only Ronaldo (451), Raul (323) and Alfredo Di Stefano (308) scoring more.
Speaking after the win over Bilbao, Benzema was quick to divert praise to his team-mates.
"@Benzema isn't the best attacker in @LaLigaEN."
β Real Madrid C.F. π¬π§πΊπΈ (@realmadriden) December 22, 2021
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π© pic.twitter.com/X0hQdf65mF
βI like to play games like these in a great stadium like this,β he said.
βIt makes me happy but more than anything Iβm proud of my teamβs performance.
βWe worked hard and we know itβs very tough to win here at San Mames.
βWe know that we suffered and that is what happens when youβre a big team, you have to suffer at times.
βIt is a very good goal and itβs very important, so Iβm very happy for the team.β
Is Benzema the best striker in the world right now? Let us know your thoughts.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics:Β Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, La Liga, Athletic Bilbao, Football
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