Benzema strikes late winner for experimental Real side

Updated 31/03/2019 at 21:19 GMT

La Liga, Santiago Bernabeu - Real Madrid 3 (Isco 25', Ceballos 62', Benzema 89') Huesca 2 (Cucho 3', Etxeita 74')

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and SD Huesca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 31, 2019 in Madrid, Spain

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Karim Benzema struck a late winner for Real Madrid, giving Zinedine Zidane’s experimental side three points from what was a topsy-turvy game against bottom-of-the-table Huesca.

Zidane made a number of bold calls in his team selection, with Marco Asensio, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane all dropped from the matchday squad. In came Luca Zidane and Brahim Diaz, handed his first start since signing from Manchester City in January.

Real looked disjointed from the start, conceding an opener after just three minutes when Cucho Hernandez, on loan from Watford, swept home a finish from a Chimy Avila low ball into the box.

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Huesca's players celebrate after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and SD Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 31, 2019.

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Isco scored his second goal in as many games to restore parity after 26 minutes, converting from close range after Benzema’s initial shot had been saved and Madrid completed the turnaround in the second half, with Dani Ceballos turning home at the back post following a Benzema header.

Huesca weren’t finished, though, and scored a second with 16 minutes left, making the most of some slack Real Madrid defending, slinging a cross into the box for defender Xabier Etxieta to glance a header in at the near post.

The visitors looked on course for a famous point in the Spanish capital, but with time just about up Benzema guided a right-footed finish into the back of the net, sparing Real's blushes on a difficult night.

TALKING POINT - There will be more games like this from Real Madrid before the end of the season

Zidane is being somewhat obvious in his approach. The Frenchman, quite simply, has his focus firmly on next season, testing out different options with his team selections. After all, Real Madrid’s season is all but over. They are out of the Liga title race, out of the Copa del Rey and out of the Champions League and so Zidane is figuring out his squad before making alterations this summer. There will be more games like this between now and the end of the season.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates 3-2 with Gareth Bale of Real Madrid, Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v SD Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 31, 2019 in Madrid Spain

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MAN OF THE MATCH - Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid’s front three endured a night of contrasting fortunes. Isco was quiet, but scored for the second game in succession. Gareth Bale struggled and was jeered and whistled by his own fans more than once. Benzema, on the other hand, was involved in everything good Real Madrid did against Huesca. The Frenchman has responded to Zidane’s return to the Santiago Bernebeu and this demonstrated why he remains so important to Real Madrid.

Benzema

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PLAYER RATINGS

Real Madrid - Luca Zidane 5, Odriozola 6, Nacho 4, Ramos 5, Marcelo 4, Llorente 6, Ceballos 7, Brahim 7, Isco 7, Bale 4, Benzema 8. Subs - Valverde 5, Vazquez 6, Mariano 5.

Huesca - Santamaria 6, Herrera 6, Etxeita 6, Mantovani 6, Pulido 5, Galan 5, Musto 5, Gomez 6, Rivera 5, Chimy 7, Cucho 7. Subs - Juanpi 6, Gallar 5, Gallego 5.

KEY MOMENTS

3’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Huesca: Incredible! La Liga's bottom side have taken the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after just three minutes! Nacho gave up the ball, Chimy plays the pass into the middle and Cucho, on loan from Watford, sweeps home the finish past Zidane! What a start!

26’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Huesca: Real Madrid are back on level terms! Benzema did really well to hold off the challenges and drive his team to the edge of the box. He plays it out to Ceballos, who plays it back to the Frenchman. His shot is saved, but then the pass is played back across the goal line and Isco was on hand to finish!

62’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Huesca: The turnaround is complete! Real Madrid finally have the lead! Bale sends a deep cross to the back post, Benzema heads it back across goal and Ceballos was on hand to bundle home on the stretch at the back post. A brave finish from the midfielder!

: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid celebrates 2-1 with Marcos Llorente of Real Madrid, Marcelo of Real Madrid, Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v SD Huesca at the Santiago Bernabeu

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71’ How did he miss? Oh wow. That is quite the sitter from Bale. Odriozola played the ball right across the face of goal, but the Welsh winger somehow managed to scoop over from about three yards out.

74’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Huesca: Can you believe it? What resilience from the La Liga basement boys! The cross was slung into the Real Madrid from the left wing and Etxeita got on the end of the delivery and flicked a header in at the near post! Huesca are back on level terms at the Santiago Bernabeu!

89’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Huesca: Is that a late winner for Real Madrid? Bale's outside-of-the-boot cross was knocked down by Ramos inside the box, Benzema created the space for the shot and the French striker guided a right-footed strike into the far corner of the net!