Real Madrid see off Valencia to extend LaLiga lead
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid beat Valencia 4-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday to top the LaLiga table with eight points.
Madrid dominated the first half, but were unable to break the deadlock until Karim Benzema, who also scored twice, sent off a penalty in the 43rd minute, which was awarded after Casemiro went down the box.
Vinicius doubled Madrid's lead after half-time, passing past goalkeeper Jasper Sileson after exchanging a pass with Benzema, and shortly afterwards when Valencia's keeper dropped Marco Asensio's shot. , so he grabbed another with his head.
Goncalo Guedes pulled back a goal for Valencia as Madrid held on to victory, and the result leaves the leaders on 49 points, eight ahead of second-placed Sevilla, who play on Sunday.
A strong Real Madrid opening XI saw Benzema, Luka Modric, Thibaut Courtois and Ferland Mendy back in the squad after missing out on their midweek Copa del Rey win at Alcoyano.
Madrid's best opening opportunity went to Eder Militao, whose powerful header was saved by Sileson. Goncalo Guedes tested Courtois at the other end before Vinicius led Mendy's cross wide.
Asensio saved a low shot from a narrow angle and Modric hit the bar with a fierce curling shot, before Benzema opened the scoring from the spot. Valencia delivered the ball backwards and when Casemiro ran forward into the box, it went down after coming into contact with defender Omar Alderte.
Benzema confidently scored a penalty in the top corner for his 16th league goal of the season - and his 300th goal for Real Madrid - to ensure that the home team progressed at half-time.
Vinicius made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute with assists from Benzema and some poor Valencia defences. He scored again nine minutes later, taking a straight lead after Sileson had Asensio's shot in his way.
There were chances at both ends - Courtois made a brilliant save from Daniel Vaas, and Asensio's goal shot was blocked by defender Jose Gaya - before Valencia were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute by Mendy for shirt pulling .
Courtois blocked Guedes' opening effort but the Portugal forward led a rebound into the net to ensure Madrid could not rest in the closing stages.
Benzema added his second let to put the game out of the reach of the spectators.
