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European round-up: Karim Benzema fires Real Madrid seven points clear at top of La Liga


 European round-up: Karim Benzema fires Real Madrid seven points clear at top of La Liga

Real Madrid made it seven wins on the spin thanks to Karim Benzema's strike against Athletic Bilbao; elsewhere in Europe Lionel Messi and Paris St-Germain were poor in a draw with Nice, while Junior Messias struck twice for Serie A's second-placed side AC Milan

Karim Benzema fired Real Madrid to victory over Athletic Bilbao

Karim Benzema's first-half strike gave Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, making it seven victories on the spin for La Liga's leaders. 

Real are now seven points clear at the top of the table, having played a game more than second-placed neighbours Atletico Madrid. With out-of-sorts Barcelona way back in seventh, Carlo Ancelotti's side are in a commanding position.

In-form Benzema converted from close range in the 40th minute after Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon parried a shot by Marco Asensio, scoring his eighth goal in his last seven matches for club and country.

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Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey, La Liga sides Real Sociedad, Real Mallorca, Espanyol, Sevilla and Real Betis all won against lower-division clubs to advance to the next round.

Sevilla struggled the most, needing a goal by Lucas Ocampos in the second half of extra time to defeat fourth-division club Crdoba 1-0 in a match between two southern Spanish clubs.

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