Goals from Marco Asensio and substitute Karim Benzema were not enough as Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw by Las Palmas, with Sergio Araujo scoring the 85th minute equaliser for the home side after a rare Cristiano Ronaldo substitution.
After accumulating 16 straight wins in La Liga, Zidane’s side dropped 2 points for the second consecutive game, shortening their lead over Barcelona in the table to just 1 point.
Young Marco Asensio started this game from midfield. For a vast majority of his time on the pitch, fans had wondered where exactly he was playing in Zidane’s 4-3-3, but after he opened the scoring for Los Blancos in the 33rd minute, the fans heaped praise on the Spaniard for his goal.
3 – No other player has scored more goals for Real Madrid than Marco Asensio this season (level with Sergio Ramos, all comps). Daring.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 24, 2016
1-0 Madrid. Brilliant run left wing by Nacho [!], his shot saved and Marco Asensio [!] heads in the rebound.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 24, 2016
Asensio doing it all on his own, no support from others around him. No runs being made.
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) September 24, 2016
Asensio is a legend to be..
— Dr. Strange (@L_aidback) September 24, 2016
If feels good to see Asensio scoring!! ✌
— Hamza Khan ? (@RMA_in_DNA) September 24, 2016
Asensio reminds me of David Silva. Very promising.
— Kárim Balushi (@KarimB92) September 24, 2016
Las Palmas equalized soon after, barely giving Real Madrid any time to settle into their lead. But midway through the second half, Asensio made way for Karim Benzema and French international almost immediately gave Real Madrid the advantage and Ronaldo didn’t look too happy.
64′: Karim Benzema replaces Marco Asensio.
67′: Karim Benzema scores to put Real Madrid in the lead.
Instant impact. pic.twitter.com/bv4xF7jDnr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 24, 2016
30 – Karim Benzema has scored against every team he has faced in La Liga (113 goals against 30 teams). Inmaculate. pic.twitter.com/FEbVNWWBNJ
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 24, 2016
1 – Karim Benzema has scored his first goal as a substitute in La Liga since March 2013 against Mallorca. Cat.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 24, 2016
Real Madrid fans are so pathetic with the way they treat their own player Benzema! The man is crack, show some appreciation maybe?
— Joey (@joeblacknyellow) September 24, 2016
Cristiano’s reaction after Benzema’s goal clearly shows the difference between BBC & MSN.
MSN ?#HalaMadrid— Rana Madridista (@RudeRana_) September 24, 2016
As if Ronaldo threw his hand in the air in rage because Benzema scored and he didn’t? you are on a TEAM?
— JESS (@JessEagles97) September 24, 2016
I know ronaldo likes to score all the goals himself, but he looked like he was appealing for offside when Benzema scored
— Steve Harwood (@leedsyid) September 25, 2016
Real Madrid continue to make chances and dominate, but were unable to finish off their chances. Then, Zidane made the decision to take off Cristiano Ronaldo after 70 minutes. To very likely give the Portuguese rest for their midweek tie against Borussia Dortmund.
The thing about Ronaldo being subbed is now he’s gonna go deadlift a 800 for a week then score a hattrick next game. Not worried.
— J (@notRonaIdo) September 24, 2016
Zinedine Zidane: “Cristiano Ronaldo always wants to play. We have a match coming up against Dortmund – that’s why I subbed him out.”
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) September 24, 2016
Zidane has subbed Ronaldo. This is not a drill. Zidane has subbed Ronaldo.
— Tim Collins (@TimDCollins) September 24, 2016
It is the first time that CR7 has been tactically replaced in a tight game with Madrid (via @Wheels_1980). And Las Palmas goes and draws!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) September 24, 2016
Cristiano doesn’t look happy at all to be brought off, but he’s not fully fit and Real Madrid play in the Champions League on Tuesday. #RMCF
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) September 24, 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo has had 5 shots in 60 minutes against Las Palmas, failing to hit the target with all of them.
Frustrating night so far. pic.twitter.com/zwVugflQln
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 24, 2016
Ronaldo sad face is about to become an internet meme in 5-4-3-2…
— Tim Stannard (@LaLigaLoca) September 24, 2016
Don’t catch Ronaldo’s eye, don’t catch Ronaldo’s eye.
— AS English (@English_AS) September 24, 2016
Who’s going off?? Cristiano Ronaldo that’s who.
Does he look happy? He does not.— AS English (@English_AS) September 24, 2016
@ZidaneOfficial_ Substitute Ronaldo when 1-2 up. What a poor, arrogant decision. You need to get a grip of yourself and go back to basics
— Golf (@TheKhazi123) September 24, 2016
That’s one thing you don’t do substitute Ronaldo Zidane will be looking at exit door soon or Ronaldo will be looking to leave!!
— @MUFC#6POGBACK (@giggsy46) September 24, 2016
This team is dead w/o a fit Ronaldo. All you modric kroos Isco fan boys etc need to realize we ain’t going nowhere unless cr7 performs.
— Footballogy (@TheFootballogy) September 24, 2016
THIS Ronaldo is the most overrated player out there, can name 5 players who perform better than him week in, week out. Prime CR7 was good
— NBK (@SimplyMessi10) September 24, 2016
GOOD NEWS FOR CULES!!
Ronaldo made 0 successful dribbles vs Las Palmas which means he’s still tied with Ter Stegen on 1 dribble this season
— Barça Lens (@BarcaLens) September 24, 2016
Quality work by TV director picking out Ronaldo on the bench…
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 24, 2016
All of us right now. pic.twitter.com/rwLGkrAUtT
— CR7 Fans | Ronaldo (@Cr7Prince4ever) September 24, 2016
3 – Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score only on three grounds in La Liga: El Arcangel (1), Anoeta (2) and Gran Canaria (2). Effort. pic.twitter.com/p1HWAtEJXY
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 24, 2016
