- Karim Benzema scored two goals last night to help Real Madrid defeat Real Valladolid 2-0 on Friday night.
- The victory sent Real Madrid top of the La Liga table with just one point above rivals FC Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
Karim Benzema scored two goals last night to help Real Madrid defeat Real Valladolid 2-0 at Estadio Jose Zorilla.
The two goals came in the last seven minutes of the game. The victory sent Real Madrid top of the La Liga table with just one point above rivals FC Barcelona.
Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his first goal against Real Valladolid. Photo/ Eurosport.
This was Real Madrid’s first game since the World Cup. World Cup finalists Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni were not in the starting eleven.
Luka Modric, who led Croatia to third place finish, was also on the bench. He replaced Vinicius Jr. less than two minutes before the final whistle.
Real Madrid Defeat Real Valladolid
Real Madrid and Real Valladolid had several chances to open the scoring. The Los Blancos were denied a clear penalty in the first 15 minutes of the game, something which left Carlo Ancelotti very furious.
A few minutes after Javi Sanchez’s handball incident, Karim Benzema missed an open chance to give Real Madrid the lead. He blazed over the bar from point-blank range.
Antonio Rudiger would later find another chance but the German international headed the ball wide.
Real Valladolid took control of the game from midway towards the end of the first half. However, they lacked the creativity to put the ball into the back of Real Madrid’s net.
Good saves from Thibaut Courtois and Jordi Masip meant that both teams went into the halftime break without conceding.
Real Valladolid lost both Julian Escudero and Roque Mesa towards the sixth minute due to injuries.
Real Madrid introduced Lucas Vasquez and Rodrygo at the hour mark. With 20 minutes to play, Thibaut Courtois made a trio of good saves to keep Real Madrid in the game.
Antonio Rudiger headed into the arms of Sanchez in the 80th minute, and this time, VAR intervened to award Real Madrid a penalty.
Karim Benzema confidently converted the spot kick to put Real Madrid in front. The French talisman then sealed the win for Real Madrid in added time.
He was unmarked inside the box when the ball found him.
Karim Benzema leads Real Madrid players in celebrations. Photo/ beIN SPORTS.
Even though Karim Benzema scored two goals, Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr. was the Player of the Match. Vini was not directly involved in either goal but was the sole consent threat of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are on top of the table with 38 points. They are closely followed by FC Barcelona, who have 37 points and one game in hand.
On the other hand, Real Valladolid are 15th on the La Liga table with 17 points. They are five points above relegation-based Cadiz and Sevilla.
The last team on the table is Elche, who have four points from 15 games.
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