Benzema stays hot, leads Real Madrid to victory in opener
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) — Karim Benzema picked up from where he left off last season and scored twice to lead Real Madrid to a comfortable 4-1 win over Alavés in its Spanish league opener. Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid also got a goal from Nacho Fernández. He is one of the defenders stepping in to replace Sergio Ramos. The veteran captain left after 16 seasons because the club didn’t want to extend his contract. Benzema was the team’s top player and scoring leader last season under Zinedine Zidane. Barcelona’s first season without Lionel Messi after nearly two decades starts Sunday with a home match against Real Sociedad.