In this Episode:

In this Episode:

Luka Jovic produced an assist and a goal off the bench to hand Real Madrid a well-earned 2-0 victory away at Real Sociedad on Saturday evening. Incredibly, this was Jovic's first league goal for Los Blancos since February 2020 against Osasuna.

Real Madrid made two changes to the team that beat Athletic Club 1-0 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in midweek, with Dani Carvajal returning to the starting line-up and Rodrygo Goes featuring on the right wing instead of Marco Asensio.

Carlo Ancelotti was dealt a hard blow 17 minutes in, however, when Karim Benzema had to be replaced due to a knock, with Jovic coming off the bench in LaLiga Santander for the first time since his cameo appearance in Los Blancos' 4-1 victory away at Granada on November 21.

Despite Benzema's absence, Real Madrid pushed forward for a goal and they would have taken the lead had Alex Remiro not pulled off a fine save to deny Luka Modric.

Real Sociedad didn't look dangerous in attack and mainly threatened with dead balls. The hosts did come close to scoring just before the break, though, when Mikel Oyarzabal sent his strike just wide.

Real Madrid got off to a brilliant start in the second half. Rodrygo couldn't beat Remiro, but Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock with his 10th LaLiga Santander goal this season after a beautiful Jovic assist.

The Serbian striker turned from provider to scorer just before the hour mark to double the lead for Real Madrid with a diving header following a Casemiro headed pass.

Real Sociedad hardly created any clear chances in the remaining minutes, while Vinicius failed to beat Remiro in a one on one with three minutes to go.

Following their win in San Sebastian, LaLiga Santander leaders Real Madrid are now 10 points ahead of reigning champions Atletico Madrid and have a 16-point advantage over Barcelona.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are sitting in fifth position on 29 points, while second-placed Sevilla have registered 31 points in 15 games.

In this Episode:

Gareth Bale is set for an eight-week spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury and will not be available to coach Carlo Ancelotti again until November.

The Welshman has been out of action for the past week after he suffered a muscle tear in his right hamstring during a training session at the Santiago Bernabéu last Saturday, 11 September ahead of Los Blancos clash with Celta Vigo on Sunday - a game he subsequently missed. The 32-year-old also sat out the Champions League clash against Inter Milan midweek and is now set to miss up to a dozen more.

Cadena Cope journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz broke the news of Bale’s estimated layoff time on Twitter, stating that the Welsh international would be sidelined for between eight to ten weeks.

AS has been able to consult Real Madrid sources, who confirmed that the timeframe for Bale’s recovery is about eight weeks. Although, as it is a major muscle tear, the margins regarding his layoff period can be wide.

Real Madrid shook off a stiff challenge from Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to Karim Benzema's brace and Vinicius' assists in a 2-1 victory in Champions League Group D on Wednesday night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The French striker had Los Blancos ahead early on a Shakhtar mistake, but the visitors pulled level to make it even at the break. A class build-up allowed Benzema to regain the lead for his side and nail down the three points, giving Real Madrid nine points with two matches to go.

Carlo Ancelotti raised some eyebrows by going with Lucas Vazquez to replace the absent Rodrygo, meaning Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio were left on the bench. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal slotted in at right-back and Ferland Mendy was at left-back.

It could have easily been 1-0 to Real Madrid early on, after some slick linking up between Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez, only for Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to block the shot from the Croatia international. The same could be said for Shakhtar, who were denied an opener through Alan Patrick when his shot struck the post.

The first goal would arrive in short order and Shakhtar couldn't have gifted it any better if they had tried. A heavy touch from defender Marlon saw Vinicius swoop in and quickly find Benzema, who had the easiest of strokes into net for a 1-0 advantage.

Yet, just like in last season's visit to Valdebebas, Shakhtar were creating danger and the visitors from Ukraine pulled level 1-1 when Patrick chested down a ball to Fernando, who volleyed it into net.

The Shakhtar equaliser and subsequent chance to take a lead into half time did little to please the Bernabeu, who showered their team with whistles as the players retreated to the dressing room at intermission.

The supporters were growing antsy about Shakhtar's continuous possession of the ball, but in the blink of an eye things changed with a pretty one-two combination between Casemiro and Vinicius, in which the latter found a wide-open Benzema, who finished for a 2-1 lead.

Ancelotti went to his bench by first bringing on Nacho for Carvajal, followed later by fringe forward Luka Jovic for Benzema, who received an ovation while leaving the pitch.

Shakhtar didn't stray from their approach and kept the Real Madrid defence busy, including a stoppage time chance from Sudakov that forced Courtois into a save. However, in the end, Ancelotti's men were able to close up shop to pocket the three points and stay on track for a knockout round berth.

Real Madrid dominated possession and had the lion's share of the chances on a frustrating night for the hosts against a stubborn Osasuna side at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Karim Benzema coming close in the 61st minute as the Frenchman drove his close-range shot over the bar from close range. But that's as good as it got for Los Blancos.

However, the best chance of the game fell to Osasuna 11 minutes prior on 50' as Moncoyola struck the woodwork following a quick 3-on-2 counterattack by the visitors that almost unraveled Madrid. But neither side could break the deadlock and the game ended 0-0, a result which puts Madrid top of the table on goal difference, but level on points with the three teams below them, Sevilla, Real Betis and Real Sociedad.

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The gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona is widening and that was illustrated in Los Blancos' latest Clasico win at Camp Nou.

David Alaba is one of few footballers who can claim to have experienced consistent success against Barcelona in the 21st century and he once again proved a thorn in their side as El Clasico went in Real Madrid's favour at Camp Nou.

In three games against Barça for Bayern Munich, Alaba enjoyed a 100 per cent win record.

Bayern scored 15 goals and conceded just two across those matches, eight of those coming in Die Roten's incredible Champions League quarter-final win of 2020.

And the Austria international remains unbeaten versus the Blaugrana, his stunning left-foot finish helping settle a game in which Barcelona misfired in their first Clasico since Lionel Messi's departure and Madrid's brightest young talent rose to the occasion.

Alaba's goal, his first since joining Madrid, was one worthy of winning a fixture of such magnitude. Having won the ball from Memphis Depay on the edge of his own box, he surged forward before finding Vinicius Junior on the left flank.

The former Bayern star initially wanted the return pass but Vinicius eschewed that option, instead playing a superb ball to Rodrygo Goes in the centre.

Rodrygo's pass to find Alaba continuing his charge was inch-perfect, only bettered by the quality of a blistering finish from just inside the area.

Barca struggled to deal with Madrid's threat down the left flank throughout, Vinicius taking the chance to emerge as the star of a Clasico absent its departed modern-day leading man.

Vinicius went into the fixture having scored seven goals and provided the assist for three in all competitions. He did not add to either of those tallies but his influence across the Brazilian's 87 minutes on the pitch was obvious,

Ensuring Sergino Dest endured a difficult afternoon at both ends of the pitch, Vinicius attempted a game-high eight dribbles, four of which were successful.

No player on the field participated in (20) or won more duels (10) as Vinicius excelled at putting Barca under pressure.

Only Depay (six) and Ansu Fati (seven) had more touches in the opposition box, yet Barca's inability to make the most of those touches was telling.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was absent Wednesday for the opening of a three-day trial for his involvement in an alleged attempt to blackmail former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

The 33-year-old Benzema's legal team told the court in Versailles that professional obligations made it "impossible" for him to attend. Valbuena's lawyer said he deplored the absence, reports Marca.

Benzema played for Madrid in Kyiv on Tuesday against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Madrid plays again Sunday against Barcelona in the Spanish league. Four other people accused of attempted blackmail in the case were present in court.

Benzema is on trial for complicity in attempted blackmail. The charges are punishable by up to five years in prison and a 75,000 euro ($87,400) fine. Benzema has denied wrongdoing.

Karim Benzema's blistering 2021 continued with a fine performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, yet the French forward already has plans for life after Real Madrid, admitting that he is considering moving to MLS in the future.

Benzema's current contract with Los Blancos is due to end in June 2023, when he will be 35 years old, although it's difficult to imagine the Spanish giants won't want to keep him beyond that given his form and fitness.

"I take things year by year, as long as I have this desire, this joy and I like football then I will continue," Benzema told ESPN.