Karim Benzema grabbed two goals and an assist but also hurt his ankle, with teammate Rodrygo also injured as Real Madrid bear Mallorca 3-0 on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side moved on to 66 points from 28 games with their fourth consecutive La Liga win, extending their lead at the top to 10 points over Sevilla. The second-placed side were held to a 1-1 stalemate at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, a sixth draw in their last eight league matches.
Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring for the visitors in the 55th minute after a Mallorca defender lost the ball on the edge of the box and Benzema set up the Brazilian to strike. Vinícius was then tripped inside the area 22 minutes later and Benzema converted the resulting penalty.
The French striker scored again in the 82nd minute with a header from a Marcelo cross, but appeared to get hurt in the process and asked to be substituted soon after, pointing to his left ankle.
Real Madrid also lost Rodrygo to an injury after a studs-up challenge from defender Antonio Raíllo, who was booked after catching the Brazilian winger’s right foot. Rodrygo was carried off the pitch by Real Madrid’s doctors, unable to put his foot on the floor.
“It wasn’t only the tackle on Rodrygo, there was another studs-up challenge on Vinícius that was also unacceptable,” the Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueño told reporters after the game. “We as members of the football world have to protect our players and can’t allow this type of violent play to be part of our beautiful game.”
Ancelotti will hope neither player is not out for long, with third-placed Barcelona visiting the Bernabéu for the clásico this Sunday. “We have to wait for the exams later in the week, let’s hope it’s not serious,” the Italian said, with the club confirming that Rodrygo’s injury is the one causing most concern.
