Real Madrid's Benzema silences his critics

Football Soccer - Real Madrid v Napoli - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg - Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - 15/2/17 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema with Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane after he is substituted Reuters / Susana Vera Livepic

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has had his critics of late but he answered them with a strong performance against Napoli in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

Amid calls by fans and Alvaro Moratamedia for Real to rely more heavily on Spain international , Benzema, started his team's comeback with an 18th minute equaliser in the defending champion's 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday.