Karim Benzema was on the bench again in the Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday night, as he had been in the Calderón a few days earlier after recovering from a hip problem. But he climbed off the woodwork to steer a header inside Rui Patricio’s post in the 86th minute to hand his side victory and keep Real Madrid in the hunt for to spot in Group F.

Full screen FELIPE SEVILLANO (DIARIO AS)

"People always talk about me"

Speaking to beINSport after the game, Benzema responded to criticism of his performances for the side this season: “People always talk about me. If I’m not playing well they say I have no place in the side, they say this, they say that… It’s always the same.”

"This is my eighth season at Real Madrid"

“This is my eighth season at Real Madrid. I am playing at a big club where there are other important players. It is up to me to perform on the pitch. After an injury I have to come back and feel good playing again and that’s what I’m doing little by little. There is a long way to go this season.”