Karim Benzema narrowed the gap to Ferenc Puskas with a brace in Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Levante, the Frenchman taking his league tally for the club to 152, four shy of the Hungarian great’s total of 156 in the domestic competition.

Benzema has found the net in three of Real Madrid’s four Liga matches this season, against Levante, Celta and Valladolid. Only Villarreal have denied the striker so far, Gareth Bale popping up with both goals in the 2-2 draw in La Cerámica.

Benzema into top 20 all-time Liga scorers

Full screen JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA (DIARIO AS)

Overall, Benzema has now moved up to 19th in the list of all-time top scorers in LaLiga, level with former Athletic, Barcelona and Atlético forward Julio Salinas. Of the top 20 most prolific scorers in the history of the Spanish top flight, only three remain active: Benzema, Aritz Aduriz and Leo Messi, who leads the way with his unassailable 452 goals for Barcelona.

In terms of Madrid, Benzema’s next target is also Puskas, who bagged 242 in all competitions with the Frenchman currently on 226.