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Champions League: Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s rout of Viktoria Plzen

By Ben Sundock

PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC - NOVEMBER 07: Karim Benzema (C) of Real Madrid celebrates with team mates after scoring their team's third goal during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between Viktoria Plzen and Real Madrid at Doosan Arena on November 7, 2018 in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC - NOVEMBER 07: Karim Benzema (C) of Real Madrid celebrates with team mates after scoring their team's third goal during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between Viktoria Plzen and Real Madrid at Doosan Arena on November 7, 2018 in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid decided to break out its scoring boots on Wednesday night in the Czech Republic as they defeated Viktoria Plzen 5-0. With four goals in the first half and a solid defensive performance, here are just three takeaways from the crucial victory.

Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match Viktoria Plzen v Real Madrid in Plzen, Czech Republic on November 7, 2018. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match Viktoria Plzen v Real Madrid in Plzen, Czech Republic on November 7, 2018. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) /

Karim the dream makes a timely return

Karim Benzema started the season on fire as he scored five goals in just five matches in La Liga. With two braces during that stretch, many fans believed the French striker was returning to the form he was in back in 2015.

However, since scoring two goals against Leganes on September 1, Karim has had just one goal other than the two he scored today. That lone goal was against, you guessed it, Viktoria Plzen two weeks ago.

Regardless of the opponent, Benzema was on fire Wednesday night with his two impressive goals and one assist all in the first half.

What made the opening goal for Benzema in the 20th-minute special was not only the individual effort from the Frenchman to sneak his way past two Plzen defenders, but that it was his 200th goal with Los Blancos since joining way back in 2009.

Karim is the seventh Real Madrid to reach this mark and he joins a very impressive list of players: Ronaldo, Raul, Di Stefano, Puskas, Sanchez, and Santillana.

The way in which he moved around the pitch and got position inside of the Plzen defenders made it seem like the Karim Benzema of years gone by might be back. Let’s all hope.

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