Marco Asensio struck twice as Real Madrid edged a thriller against Real Betis to… stay fourth and move back within 17 points of leaders Barcelona.
Los Blancos followed up their impressive 3-1 Champions League win over PSG with a shaky display at the Benito Villamarin, when without young striker Asensio, they might have been sunk.
In the 11th minute he headed home after Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort was parried by Antonio Adan.
Betis bounced back strongly, with Mandi heading home and then Nacho bundled into his own net when Junior’s effort was blocked by Keylor Navas.
However Zidane geed up his players at the break and they came out swinging.
Sergio Ramos headed home Lucas Vazquez’s corner after 50 minutes, with Asensio sweeping home from Dani Carvajal’s cross to put Madrid 3-2 up and score his side’s 6,000th La Liga goal in the process.
Cristiano Ronaldo got involved after that, ramming home after a lovely chip by Casemiro.
Sergio Leon pulled one back with five minutes to go, setting things up for a supreme finale, but when the eighth goal came, it was for Madrid not against them.
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Karim Benzema scored just his third league goal of the season, on as a substitute, to wrap things up in stoppage time.