Karim Benzema was among the goals on his return to action for Real Madrid, who recorded a 2-0 win over Real Valladolid on Friday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Valladolid 0-2 Real Madrid
Date: 30 December 2022
Venue: Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla
Los Blancos had their talisman Karim Benzema back from injury, as he joined Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio in the final third.
Madrid were lively in the early stages as Benzema had a big chance to send them ahead on 17 minutes after a rebound fell on his path in the six-yard box but he blasted his shot over the crossbar, with the net gaping.
After absorbing the pressure half-way through the first stanza, Valladolid had a spring in their step going forward from then on, as Alvaro Aguado came close to breaking the deadlock ten minutes before the interval with a shot plucked away from the top corner by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Ancelotti's charges laboured towards the end of the first stanza and needed fresh ideas in the second stanza to open up the Valladolid defence.
Los Blancos, however, were still not finding their rhythm early in the second stanza and the Italian tactician made an attacking change on the hour-mark, as Rodrygo came on for Asensio.
Valladolid grew in confidence as Madrid were struggling to click upfront and they came very close to breaking the deadlock on 68 minutes after Courtois made a long stretching save to keep out a towering header by Sergio Leon.
Madrid had the urgency in the closing stages as Benzema almost broke the deadlock in the last 11 minutes with a low curling shot that was brilliantly parried away by goalkeeper Jordi Masip.
The was drama after that action of play, as Los Blancos were awarded a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review spotted a handball in the box.
Valladolid had a double blow as they were also reduced to ten men after Leon was red-carded for protesting towards the fourth official.
Benzema went up to take the spot-kick and fired home a low strike on the wrong side of Masip, as Madrid finally went ahead.
Valladolid were getting disjointed in the dying minutes as Benzema killed off the game for Los Blancos and completed his brace with a clinical strike from close-range after a cut-back by Eduardo Camavinga.
Madrid leapfrogged Barcelona, who will be in action on Saturday, by one point at the top of the table.
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