‘He wanted a Benzema hat-trick’ – Ex-Liverpool ace Aspas accuses ref of match-fixing after awarding Real three penalties

FORMER Liverpool forward Iago Aspas accused the referee of match-fixing after three penalties were awarded to Real Madrid during their 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo. Karim Benzema broke the deadlock from the penalty spot midway through the first half, before Nolito equalised for the hosts seven minutes into the second period. Jeison Murillo then fouled […]

FORMER Liverpool forward Iago Aspas accused the referee of match-fixing after three penalties were awarded to Real Madrid during their 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo.

Karim Benzema broke the deadlock from the penalty spot midway through the first half, before Nolito equalised for the hosts seven minutes into the second period.

AFP

Aspas (right) was left furious with the referee after the penalties were awarded[/caption]

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Jeison Murillo then fouled Rodrygo to hand Benzema a second chance from the spot – but this time he was denied by keeper Matias Dituro.

Incredibly though, Kevin Vazquez tripped Ferland Mendy moments later and Benzema made no mistake with his third penalty of the afternoon.

The Frenchman’s brace proved decisive as they clinched a 2-1 victory, but Aspas was left furious at referee Pablo Gonzalez.

The striker said: “He [the referee] only needed the whistle for the fourth penalty to take it himself.

“It seems like a Benzema hat-trick is what he wanted and what he looked for.”

Real Madrid‘s victory takes them 12 points clear of Sevilla at the top of the LaLiga table.

And with just eight games remaining for Los Blancos, they are closing in on a second league title in three years.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are also still in the Champions League.

Benzema’s sensational hat-trick inspired his side to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.

They now prepare to face Chelsea in the quarter-finals – with the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel’s side knocked Madrid out of the Champions League last year, winning 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals before going on to lift the trophy.