Real Madrid stays perfect thanks to late goal from Benzema

Madrid, Oct 2 (IANS/EFE) Second-half substitute Karim Benzema scored to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Ludogorets Wednesday, leaving the Blancos at the head of Champions League Group B with six points after two matches.

The Spanish side fell behind early in Sofia, giving up a goal to Marcelinho in the 6th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo replied for the visitors in the 24th minute, converting on a penalty.

But the defending champions found the going hard against the scrappy Bulgarian club and it was not until Benzema's goal in the 77th minute that heavily favoured Real Madrid took the lead.

With no points, Ludogorets faces an uphill battle to advance from Group B. Liverpool and Basel each have three points after the Swiss club beat the Reds 1-0 Wednesday.

The situation is far different in Group A, where all four clubs have three points.

Atletico Madrid, last season's runner-up, bounced back from an away loss in the first match to top Juventus 1-0 at home Wednesday, while Malmö blanked Olympiacos 2-0.

In Group C, Zenit St. Petersburg and Monaco played to a scoreless draw, leaving each with four points overall, as Beyer Leverkusen dominated Benfica 3-1 to climb to three points. The Portuguese team has no points after two matches.

Borussia Dortmund remains in the driver's seat in Group D after a 3-0 away triumph over Anderlecht that gives the German side six points.

Danny Welbeck notched a hat trick to lead Arsenal over Galatasaray 4-1 in the other Group D contest, bringing the Gunners up to three points.

The Belgian and Turkish clubs have a point each.

--IANS/EFE

vr