Iran Press/ Europe: Benzema headed the champions in front on the hour mark while French left-back Mendy doubled their lead six minutes later, starting the move with a bursting run through midfield before sliding in to knock home a cross from Marcelo.
The victory took Zinedine Zidane's side into second in the standings and left them five points below Atletico, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Monday to end an eight-game winning streak. Diego Simeone's league leaders have two games in hand over their chasing rivals.
"This win gives us a lot of confidence, I think we are on our way back to our best," said Benzema.
Of their pursuit of Atleti atop La Liga, Zidane said: "Nothing will change. We'll do our thing. There are 51 points left. We'll keep going, I said the same thing a week ago, we have to fight, keep doing our job, without focusing on the rest. It's a good victory, two in a row, we needed it, with a lot of absentees too. We have to carry on now."
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