Karim Benzema scored the goals in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the winter break eight points clear atop La Liga. 

As Real ended the year with a bang, city rivals and defending champions Atletico Madrid suffered their fourth straight defeat, a 2-1 reverse at Granada, to leave them fifth but a yawning 17 points adrift. Benzema put the fixture out of reach of Real’s Basque hosts in a matter of minutes, Oihan Sancet pulling one back with his speedy 10th minute reply.