Real Madrid 6-0 Valladolid: Benzema nets a 7-minute hat-trick as Hazard assists
Match Report
Real Madrid are back on track ahead of Wednesday evening’s crucial Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona, after a commanding 5-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti made five changes to the side that lost in El Clasico two weeks ago, and a different tactic was also utilised by the Italian. Instead of the usual 4-3-3, Real Madrid lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Rodrygo playing just behind Karim Benzema.
The switch appeared to move early on, when Rodrygo opened the scoring after 22 minutes, having been set up by Marco Asensio. It was the Brazilian’s fifth goal of the season.
Things got even better for the hosts courtesy of Benzema, who netted a seven minute hat-trick to take the game firmly away from Valladolid. Vinicius Jr teed up the Frenchman’s first two goals, while Rodrygo crossed for Benzema to finish emphatically for his third.
Marco Asensio added a fifth in the second half to go along with his assist, while Lucas Vazquez scored his second goal of the season to make it 6-0. Eden Hazard, making only his second appearance of 2023, provided the assist.
It was vintage Real Madrid on Sunday afternoon, as they ensured an excellent preparation for Wednesday night’s El Clasico showdown at Spotify Camp Nou.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
4' CHANCE! Tchouameni's header wide out
9' OFF THE POST! Mesa nearly scores
22' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Valladolid (Rodrygo)
25' CLOSE! Benzema's shot stopped
29' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Valladolid (Benzema)
32' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Valladolid (Benzema)
36' GOAL! Real Madrid 4-0 Valladolid (Benzema)
41' CLOSE! Benzema's shot inches wide
47' AGAIN! Kike's shot hits the post
52' Militao fell near the penalty area line, but the referee ignored it.
66' Vinicius committed a handball first, Rodrigo's goal is invalid
73' GOAL! Real Madrid 5-0 Valladolid (Asensio)
86' Unbelievable! What a miss from Hazard
Real Madrid XI: Benzema, Kroos, Alaba, Courtois, Vazquez, Asensio, Militao, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga
Subs: Modric, Hazard, Carvajal, Odriozola, Vallejo, Ceballos, Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Luis López, Álvaro Rodríguez
Valladolid XI: Sergio Asenjo, Leon, Mesa, Joaquín Fernández, Luis Pérez, El Yamiq, Martin Hongla, Monchu, Gonzalo Plata, Lucas Rosa, Iván Fresneda
Subs: Escudero, Óscar Plano, Jordi Masip, Iván Sánchez, Kenedy, Cyle Larin, Seli
m Amallah, Álvaro Aguado, Kike Pérez, David Torres