MADRID, April 22 — A first-half double from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid cruise to a 3-0 victory away to Cadiz on Wednesday that moved them top of La Liga.

The Frenchman's brace came either side of a maiden senior league goal for defender Alvaro Odriozola, as Real moved onto 70 points, level with city rivals Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

The home side, who were looking to complete an unlikely league double over Madrid, started brightly, with Jens Jonsson firing narrowly wide, however that was as good as it got as Real's class told.

Benzema netted his first from the penalty spot on the half hour, before teeing up Odriozola three minutes later.

He then completed his double five minutes before the break to seal the points for Zinedine Zidane's side. — Reuters