Benzema surpasses Raul as Madrid whip last-place Elche 4-0

MADRID: Karim Benzema converted two first-half penalty kicks in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Elche on Wednesday and became the team’s second-highest scorer in the Spanish league with 230 goals.

Marco Asensio and Luka Modric also scored as Madrid won at home to get back within eight points of Barcelona in a game postponed because of the Club World Cup.

Madrid won their eighth world club title last weekend in Morocco. Barcelona had increased their league lead with a 1-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday.