Benzema scores twice, Real Madrid beats 10-man Bilbao 3-1

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Karim Benzema scored two late goals to give Real Madrid a 3-1 win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao, helping lift his team level on points with front-runners of Spanish league on Tuesday.

Madrid was in third place behind league leader Real Sociedad and second-place Atlético Madrid on overall goal difference. Atlético has two more games in hand to play.

Bilbao was left a man down in 14th minute after Raúl García earned his second yellow card for a stomping foot of Toni Kroos during a tackle.

Kroos put Madrid ahead on last kick of first half. Germany midfielder rifled in a pass from Vinícius Júnior from outside area between post and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón.

Bilbao compensated with solid team defending and pressed for an equalizer, which it found on counterattack in 53rd.

Right back Ander Capa exchanged passes with Óscar de Marcos before beating Thibaut Courtois by finishing off his first shot that Madrid keeper kcked back to him.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane sent on Marco Asensio and Francisco “Isco” Alarcón to spark his languishing attack. But it fell to right back Dani Carvajal to lob in a cross for Benzema to head home for 75th-minute winner.

Benzema added ar goal in stopp time moments after Courtois saved a shot by Mikel Vesga that would have snatched a draw.

y were French striker’s ninth and 10th goals of season in all competitions.

Madrid has won four matches in a row, three in La Liga and one in Champions League.

Bilbao came close to getting an early goal when Iñaki Williams had a clear scoring chance in 13th. Carvajal, however, pushed him in back eugh to kck him down and disrupt his shot attempt, sending ball wide. Referee Gil Manza did t call it a foul. Seconds later, Manza sent off García with his second booking.

Bilbao was left in 13th place.