Madrid: Karim Benzema scored twice and Marco Asensio added another on his return from a 10-month injury layoff as Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 on Thursday to keep pace with leader Barcelona in the Spanish league.
The home win left Madrid two points behind Barcelona, which defeated Leganés 2-0 on Tuesday for its second straight win after the pandemic break.
Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring against Valencia Madrid took control of the match after a lackluster first half in which Valencia had the most significant scoring chances and a goal disallowed by video review.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 61st minute after a pass by Eden Hazard, who again was decisive for Madrid in his second match after a long injury layoff.
Asensio, making his first appearance since a serious knee injury last year, scored with his first touch after entering the match in the 74th minute.
“That’s the way to come back,” his teammates could be heard saying during the goal celebration at the empty Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
Asensio also set up Benzema’s third goal with a one-touch cross on a counterattack and the French striker finished off the move sublimely — using his right foot to flick the ball away from a defender and then his left to hammer it into the top of the net.
Asensio celebrates after scoring a goal It was the Frenchman’s 16th league goal to leave him five behind scoring leader Lionel Messi. It was the fifth double for Benzema this season.
Valencia went a man down in the 89th after a straight red card was shown to South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in for a foul on Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. A few moments later, midfielder Francis Coquelin had to leave injured after the team had already made all five substitutions.
Valencia is winless after the break and dropped to eighth place. It had the best chances early on, with Rodrigo hitting the far post after a breakaway in the 14th. His goal a few moments later was disallowed by video review after a close offside call.
It was Madrid’s second straight game at its training center, which is being used while the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium remains under renovation until the end of the season.
