Karim Benzema's Best Ever Goals for Real Madrid

Karim Benzema is a frequent subject of criticism at Real Madrid, where his occasional dry patches in front of goal make him an easy target for censure.

But there’s no denying the prosperous and seemingly telepathic relationship the Frenchman has developed with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who on October 5 hailed the 26-year-old as “the best forward in La Liga,” according to Marca.

On Saturday, Benzema scored twice against Real Sociedad—a brace that included a spectacular strike in the 76th minute.

Here are 13 of his best ever goals for Real Madrid.

13. Sneaky Strike vs. Valencia

Talk about timing your movement to perfection. In this January 2013 match at the Mestalla, Benzema puts Real Madrid 2-0 up after evading the Valencia defense, exquisitely controlling the ball and finishing quickly inside the far corner.

12. Side-Footer vs. Manchester City

In the 10th minute of Real Madrid’s November 21, 2012 Champions League match against Manchester City, Benzema opens the scoring with a well-taken, side-footed volley.

11. Awkward Volley vs. Malaga

Benzema is one of European football’s better strikers of a volley, and in this March 3, 2011 match against Malaga, he contorts his body to turn the ball into the back of the net at the Bernabeu.

10. One-Touch Finish in Levante Thrashing

In December 2010, Real Madrid shellacked Levante 8-0 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Here, Benzema makes it 5-0 in the 69th minute with another one-touch finish.

9. Tight Angle vs. Levante

Levante made more of a game of it in their February 2012 trip to the Bernabeu. In the 65th minute, Benzema cuts in from the left and scores from a difficult angle to make the score 4-2 to Madrid.

8. Close Control vs. Getafe

When at his best, Benzema’s close control of the ball is exceptional. In this September 2011 match against Getafe, he has barely any time to finish with that trusty right foot.

7. Champions League Goal Against His Former Club

A former Lyon player, Benzema increases Madrid’s lead at home to his former club after beating Alex to Marcelo’s long ball and finding the back of the net.

6. Right off the Practice Pitch

In a set-piece play that was surely practiced beforehand, Benzema times his run to get on the end of Xabi Alonso’s well-placed free-kick against Valencia in November 2011.

5. Fastest Goal in El Clasico History

Some of Benzema’s finest moments have been reserved for El Clasico. Here, he opens the scoring against Barcelona with the quickest-ever goal in the rivalry’s history, beating goalkeeper Victor Valdes after just 23 seconds.

4. Swivel vs. Athletic Bilbao

This one is really quite something. Accepting the ball just inside Athletic Bilbao’s 18-yard box, Benzema evades his marker by swivelling and finding the back of the net with his weaker left foot.

3. Copa Del Rey Golazo vs. Sevilla

Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey in 2011, and en route to the trophy, Benzema scored this beauty—cutting back between two Sevilla defenders before scoring from a tight angle.

2. Bicycle Kick vs. Ajax

Following a botched Ajax free kick in a 2012 Champions League match in Amsterdam, Real Madrid break downfield and Benzema scores on a spectacular overhead kick.

1. Embarrassing Carles Puyol

Latching onto a bouncing ball in the Barcelona goalmouth in January 2012, Benzema one-touches it over a flailing Carles Puyol before slipping it into the back of the net.