Apr 20, 2016 at 9pm UK at ​Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
3-0
Villarreal
Benzema (41'), Vasquez (69'), Modric (76')
Danilo (45'), Casemiro (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Trigueros (44')

Zinedine Zidane hails Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema celebrates scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Villarreal on April 20, 2016
© AFP
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane pays tribute to Karim Benzema after the Frenchman hit his 23rd league goal of the season on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has paid tribute to Karim Benzema after the Frenchman netted his 23rd league goal of the season against Villarreal on Wednesday night.

A 3-0 victory over the Yellow Submarine saw Real Madrid return to within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona, and it was Benzema that opened the scoring late in the first period.

Zidane has branded the striker "a very important player" that "does an excellent job" for the entire team.

"He is a very important player, perhaps he is more important than ever. He does an excellent job. He scores, assists, and helps everyone play better," Zidane told reporters.

Lucas Vasquez and Luka Modric were also on the scoresheet for the home side on Wednesday night.

Zinedine Zidane looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Roma and Real Madrid on February 17, 2016
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1Barcelona352645102297382
2Atletico MadridAtletico35264559164382
3Real Madrid352564104327281
4Villarreal351710842311161
5Celta Vigo35169104955-657
6Athletic Bilbao351671253431055
7Sevilla351410114942752
8Valencia351111134442244
9Las PalmasLas Palmas35127164246-443
10Malaga351012133132-142
11EibarEibar35119154654-842
12Real Sociedad35119154246-442
13Real Betis351011143148-1741
14Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo35718104357-1439
15Espanyol35107183567-3237
16Rayo Vallecano35811164869-2135
17Granada3589183963-2433
18Getafe3588193364-3132
19Sporting GijonSporting Gijon3588193561-2632
20Levante3578203363-3029