Kroos whips a right-wing free-kick over to the back post, where Casemiro rises highest, but heads straight at Ter Stegen. Benzema is aggrieved with his team-mate; he feels he was in a better position to meet Kroos’ cross.
At the other end, Ansu Fati slips Pedri in behind the Madrid defence, but the flag is up. Barcelona are immediately in search of an equaliser. One corner becomes two, before Jordi Alba plays a low cross into the Real Madrid box that Nacho deals with.
A moment later, Rodrygo hoodwinks Piqué, lifting the ball over the centre-back’s head and scampering away down the right wing, but Alba is quicker than the Brazilian, and chases back to clear the danger.
A minute after coming so close to restoring Real Madrid’s lead, Benzema does just that!
Mendy plays a left-wing ball into the box to his compatriot, who opens up his body and curls a shot towards Ter Stegen’s far post. The Barça keeper saves, but Carvajal whips the ball back into the danger area, where Benzema prods in from six yards!
Madrid had been better in attack in the last 10 minutes or so, and they have their reward.
Benzema hits the post! With his first touch, Rodrygo slips a neat little ball into Benzema’s run to the top of the Barça box. The Frenchman’s initial control takes him a little wider than he might have liked, but he shows marvellously quick feet to work a yard of shooting space with his left – and fizzes an effort across Ter Stegen’s goal and against the upright!
98' WHAT A GOAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/bJn9WxydnO
— Jorge roster (@JorgeRoster) January 12, 2022