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Karim Benzema hit a first-half trick against Almeria to reach a new landmark in La Liga
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His hattrick against Almeria means he ranks among the league’s greatest goal scorers of all-time
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The 35-year-old is only behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Telmo Zarra on the list
Prior to his latest milestone, Benzema had failed to score in his last three La Liga matches but effectively snapped his mini goal-scoring drought after just five minutes when he poked home from close range after a splendid effort on the flanks by Vinicius Junior
He followed up with his personal second after Rodrygo Goes outwitted his marker before setting the Frenchman up, who made no mistake by planting the ball into the bottom corner. Benzema then completed his hat trick with a perfectly taken penalty just before halftime.The reigning Ballon d’Or holder is only behind Argentine playmaker and former Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Real Madrid record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo and legendary Spanish forward Telmo Zarra.