Real Madrid kicked off the new year at the Santiago Bernabéu with a convincing win over Valencia. The league leaders went ahead in the first half courtesy of a penalty by Karim Benzema, which was the Frenchman’s 300th goal as a madridista. In the second half Vini Jr. took centre stage, bagging a brace in the space of nine minutes to seal the victory. Valencia pulled a goal back on 75’ before Benzema scored another fine goal in the 89th minute, when he controlled the ball inside the area, span and fired in off the post.
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The first goal of the clash came in the 43rd minute, but Madrid could have opened the scoring earlier on. With six minutes on the clock, the hosts carved out their first chance. Toni Kroos swung in a free-kick from the wing and Eder Militão’s downward header forced Cillessen into a smart save. On the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept piling forward and on 19’ Mendy’s cross was headed narrowly wide by Vini Jr. Fifteen minutes later, Luka Modrić lifted the ball over the defence for Marco Asensio, whose drilled-in strike was blocked by the keeper. Three minutes after, Lucas Vázquez crossed for Casemiro to head over from inside the six-yard box.
VIDEO.4-1: Benzema and Vini Jr. both bag braces as league leaders see off Valencia
