Benzema and Asensio star in Real Madrid win

Real Madrid closed the gap on Barca back to two points after beating Valencia 3-0 at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in La Liga.

The first half was fairly even, but Real Madrid picked up in the second and raced to victory. Benzema punished a defensive error in the 61st minute and then scored a sensational volley four minutes from time while Marco Asensio got a goal on his return from injury. Valencia finished with nine men due to a red card and then an injury with all five subs used and had a goal chalked off after 20 minutes by the VAR. 

The home side had early chances through Casemiro and Kroos before Cillessen made a great save from Hazard in the 12th minute. Then, two minutes later, Valencia struck the post. Maxi Gomez turned brilliantly and passed to Rodrigo whose shot was tipped onto the far post by Courtois. Then six minutes later, Rodrigo thought he had put Valencia ahead, but Maxi Gomez was deemed to be offside in the build up and interfering with play. 

That was a boost for the home side and Cilessen had to make a terrific stop with his foot in the 29th minute to deny Carvajal after a lovely one-two between him and Luka Modric. Then, just before the interval, Kondogbia could have scored for Valencia, but Courtois made a superb stop to keep it 0-0 at half-time. Valencia deserved to be level at the interval, but Zidane's men stepped it up after half-time. 

The hosts had all the possession early on and penned Valencia near their own penalty area and Federico Valverde tested Cillessen from 25 yards in the 58th minute. Then, three minutes later, just after Valencia had brought on Gameiro and Guedes, Real Madrid scored. 

 

June 18, 2020

Gameiro played a silly pass back towards the centre circle which was picked up by Hazard, he played a one-two with Modric and he then squared for Benzema who fired past Cillessen. Real kicked on from there and Cillessen had to make another brilliant save a few minutes later to prevent Modric drom scoring and then there was a huge moment in the 74th minute. 

Marco Asensio came on for the first time since getting injured back in pre-season and seconds later, he scored. A Kroos corner was only half-cleared, Mendy ran onto the ball and he dribbled past Wass before crossing for Asensio to hit into the goal. Then, Benzema scored the goal of the night four minutes from time. 

Guedes was dispossessed by Casemiro to start the RM counter and Kroos sent a cross-field pass to Asensio. The substitute then passed to Benzema in the middle and he took a touch with his right foot before volleying in with his left. It was the goal of the match without doubt. 

Things got worse for Valencia in the 89th minute when Kang-in Lee was given his marching orders after kicking Sergio Ramos from behind three times. It was pure frustration and Albert Celades' team actually ended the contest with nine men after Francis Coquelin went off injured and all five substitutes had been used. It was a deserved win for RM and they now await what Barcelona do on Friday at Sevilla. Valencia remain in eighth after this defeat and only competed for 45 minutes.