Penalty woes: Real Madrid have missed five of their last seven spot-kicks in La Liga | OneFootball

A penalty is as close as it gets to a free goal being awarded in football. Up against just the goalkeeper from 12 yards out, the striker has an xG of 0.76 from the penalty spot.

However, Real Madrid’s recent history with spot-kicks has been anything but memorable. In what comes as a horrible revelation, Los Blancos have only scored two of their last seven attempts from the penalty spot in La Liga.

Benzema was the latest guilty party for Real Madrid as he missed to find the back of the net from the penalty spot against Osasuna on Sunday, resulting in the champions’ first dropped points of the season as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Frenchman had failed to find the back of the net from 12 yards out against Celta Vigo on Matchday 30 (April 2) of the 2021/22 season before missing two attempts in a single game when Real Madrid took on Osasuna three weeks later (April 20).

Funnily enough, the next two misses came against the same opposition. Eden Hazard could not beat Celta Vigo’s Agustin Marchesin in the 87th minute of the clash earlier this season, and on Sunday, Benzema hit the woodwork against Osasuna.

The increased number of misses throws Benzema’s role as the primary spot-kick taker into doubt. However, Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in his post-match press conference that he retained his faith in the striker and pointed out that Los Blancos’ poor record was limited to La Liga.

“Benzema is the best penalty taker in the squad. He scored an important one vs City last season and this won’t change.”

With their draw against Osasuna, Real Madrid fell to second place on the league standings with Barcelona ahead on goal difference. With El Clasico just around the corner, the margin for error is now very thin.