Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga after hammering Valencia 5-1 on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 5-1 Valencia
Date: 11 November 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid made two changes from their thumping win over Braga in the UEFA Champions League, as Dani Carvajal and David Alaba were recalled, with Brahim Diaz supporting Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo upfront, as Jude Bellingham continued to be out with injury.
Los Blancos had an ideal start after Carvajal marked his return with the opener with just three minutes on the clock after he connected with a half-volley on the edge of the box that found the bottom corner.
The hosts nearly doubled their lead five minutes later after Toni Kroos' free-kick just outside the box crashed against the crossbar.
Valencia had their chances as well after that as the game was open and Hugo Duro had a glorious chance just before the break after he failed to make contact with a close-range range header at the back post from a cross.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges punished their visitors immediately after that as Vinicius Junior made it 2-0 with an improvised diving effort that connected with Rodrygo's cross off his chest and into the back of the net.
Los Blancos put the game beyond the reach of Valencia four minutes from the interval after Vinicius Junior made it 3-0 and got his brace with an arrowed strike from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner.
Madrid were running riot just a minute later as Rodrygo made it 4-0 after he charged into the box from a bad clearance by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and fired a shot into the bottom corner.
With the three points secured, Ancelotti still made a defensive and tactical change with 20 minutes to go as Lucas Vazquez replaced Diaz and Vinicius Junior was also rested in the last eight minutes after his place was taken by Joselu.
Madrid did not drop their level as Rodrygo made it 5-0 and also completed his brace six minutes before time with a low strike in the box after he was allowed space to run into the box.
Valencia bagged a consolation goal in the last two minutes after Hugo Gonzalez found the back of the net with a sweeping first time finish in the six-yard box from a cross.
Los Blancos reduced the deficit behind log-leaders Girona to two points in second spot on the log and steered five points ahead of third-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
