Karim Benzema’s late penalty miss ends Madrid win streak
Karim Benzema’s late penalty against the crossbar ended Real Madrid’s undefeated start to their La Liga season.
Karim Benzema missed a penalty against Osasuna, which resulted in Real Madrid failing to win a match in LaLiga for the first time this season. Carlo Ancelotti refused to single out the striker for criticism. Despite Benzema’s three-week injury layoff, Madrid put up a disjointed display on Sunday, blowing a first-half advantage when Vinicius Junior’s lucky opening was cancelled out by Kike Garcia.
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When David Garcia was sent off for a shove on the striker six yards out, Benzema had the opportunity to lead Madrid to a seventh straight league victory, but the France star hit the crossbar with his penalty effort. Following that, Osasuna’s 10 men comfortably held on for a point, and Benzema has now missed three penalty attempts in LaLiga this year against Osasuna.
However, Ancelotti said Madrid had not played poorly and refuted claims that Benzema was to fault for the outcome, according to DAZN: “Karim usually scores.
“The match wasn’t spectacular, but after the goal we conceded, the team played as it had to play.
“Karim had no problems starting to play 90 minutes. He has to get in the best shape by playing.
“It’s a footballing accident that can sometimes happen. We’ve been quite solid at the back, we had a good balance, we hardly conceded any counter-attacks.”
Since the start of the 2020–21 season, Osasuna has drawn three times with Madrid, more than any other LaLiga team.
