Madrid, January 9 (BNA): Karim Benzema scored his 300th goal with Real Madrid, and Vinicius Junior scored a double to lead coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team to a 4-1 victory over Valencia to open the eight-point lead at the top of the League.
Los Blancos suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Getafe last weekend, but a second consecutive loss was never likely after Benzema’s historic penalty kick shortly before the end of the first half, German news agency DPA reported.
Vinicius scored twice in the second half and Benzema closed matters late to give the hosts a third consecutive victory over Jose Bordalas’ men with minimal fanfare, despite a Goncalo Guedes goal.
The victory strengthened Real Madrid’s lead over second-placed Sevilla, although coach Julen Lopetegui’s team played two matches postponed, while Valencia remained in ninth place.
Eder Militao, Marco Asensio and Benzema came close before Luka Modric hit the left-footed ball across the crossbar from 15 metres, with Real Madrid in control.
Their pressure eventually emerged, two minutes before the end of the first half, when Benzema hit the top corner from 12 meters after Casemiro fell inside the area by Omar Al-Dirty.
Real Madrid resumed from where they left off after the start of the second half, and Vinicius doubled their advantage from close range in the 52nd minute after accidentally smashing a crowd of defenders.
The Brazilian international scored the third goal after 61 minutes, as he nodded his head from the goal line after Jasper Cillessen blocked Asensio’s powerful shot.
Valencia scored a goal after 15 minutes, and Guedes returned to the net after Thibaut Courtois saved the initial penalty kick, which Ferland Mendy awarded after a foul on Marcos Andre.
Benzema finished his memorable game late, spinning and shooting off the post from 12 yards as Real Madrid got their title back on track.