Benzema stars as Real Madrid put five past Leganes

Karim Benzema went off to a standing ovation during Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Leganes in La Liga. (AFP/OSCAR DEL POZO)

Karim Benzema was the star of the show, the Frenchman rounding off a superb attacking display with a goal from the penalty spot after Rodrygo, Toni Kroos and another spot-kick from Sergio Ramos had already put Leganes out of sight. Luka Jovic added a fifth in injury-time.

Gareth Bale was absent again as he continues to recover from a calf injury but Madrid hardly missed the Welshman, whose future has again been questioned this week after he was pictured returning to London.

Zidane struck a conciliatory tone when asked about Bale on Tuesday, perhaps because he is likely to need him before the January transfer window and, if he stays, for the rest of the season too.

But Bale's team-mates flourished at the Santiago Bernabeu, albeit against a limp Leganes side, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table after sacking their coach Mauricio Pellegrino last week.

This was not a performance to recommend caretaker manager Luis Cembranos for the job long-term.

Yet there were some impressive Madrid showings nonetheless, not least from Benzema, who has been Zidane's most consistent performer by far in recent months and now has seven goals already in all competitions.

Rodrygo, the 18-year-old making only his fourth senior appearance, came into Bale's position on the right and, particularly in the first half, he shone, grabbing an early goal and providing the frightening turn of pace that Bale once offered before injuries took their toll.

Perhaps the only disappointment for Zidane was Eden Hazard, who still appears some way short of his best in a Madrid shirt. There were glimpses of the Belgian's undeniable brilliance but too many moments of indecision too, that suggest he is still finding his feet, and fitness, at his new club.

Madrid's victory keeps them just a point behind Barcelona, who thrashed Real Valladolid on Tuesday, and pushes them one ahead of Atletico, with a game in hand over their city rivals.

Two goals arrived in the seventh and eight minutes and Benzema provided each of them, first keeping alive Hazard's cross for Rodrygo to poke home before teeing up Kroos to flick in at the near post.

Leganes looked jaded, without belief or direction, and they fell three down before the interval as Hazard was brought down by Juan Soriano after a superb through ball from Casemiro.

Ramos missed the penalty but was given a second attempt, VAR prompting a re-take for the first time in La Liga after Soriano was deemed to have sprung off his line too early. This time, Ramos made no mistake.

Benzema had gone close with a bicycle kick and the energetic Fede Valverde skied high after Rodrygo had pulled back. Benzema then hit the post after a smart dummy from Hazard before finally he got the goal he deserved after Luka Modric earned him a spot-kick with a quick turn around Omeruo. Benzema convered and then departed to a standing ovation.

Jovic was his replacement and after having one goal ruled out for offside the Serbian made his mark. Dani Carvajal's cross offered up a simple header to make it five.