Real Madrid 6-0 Real Valladolid: Karim Benzema scores hat-trick as Carlo Ancelotti’s side hit six goals in rampant win

A seven-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema helped rampant Real Madrid romp to a 6-0 win over Real Valladolid.

The visitors started the game well and went very close to opening the scoring after 11 minutes when Roque Mesa’s effort rattled the post. Just moments later Monchu fired an effort just wide of the post from around 12 yards out.

Los Blancos woke up from that point on and took the lead after 22 minutes. Marco Asensio steamed forward from midfield before slipping in Rodrygo Goes who rifled his effort past Sergio Asenjo and into the bottom corner.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side made it 2-0 just seven minutes later when Vinicius Junior whipped in a fantastic ball into the corridor of uncertainty – neither defender nor goalkeeper went for the ball – and Benzema was on hand to head home from close range.

Benzema grabbed his second of the match just three minutes later with a superb finish from the edge of the box that gave Asenjo no chance.

Benzema made it a seven-minute hat-trick by scoring his third in the 36th minute, Rodrygo fired in a cross and Benzema with his back to goal did wonderfully to improvise and hook the ball into the back of the net. A sensational finish to round off a brilliant hat-trick.

Asensio capped off a brilliant individual performance with a goal in the 75th minute, he gave Asenjo the eyes before stroking home first time into the bottom corner. His goal meant it was the first time he had scored and assisted in the same game for Real Madrid since January 2021.

Substitute Eden Hazard picked out a great pass to find Lucas Vazquez who was able to score his first goal since October in stoppage time and round off a superb team performance from Real Madrid.

TALKING POINT – FULL FOCUS AHEAD OF A BIG APRIL

Real Madrid were absolutely ruthless in the first half, playing with the intention of blowing their opponents away so they could take their foot off the pedal in the second half and make the necessary changes with an eye on Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash against Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti spoke in his pre-match press conference about his desire to end the season with more silverware and with the substantial gap between themselves and Barcelona in La Liga, it’s clear that the Copa del Rey provides a more realistic opportunity to lift another trophy.

The big games don’t stop there though, 10 days from now Real Madrid face a visit from Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League before playing another three La Liga games to close out the month. It’s safe to say that this fixture-packed April will be a decisive month for Los Blancos.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KARIM BENZEMA (REAL MADRID)

The 35-year-old forward was sensational, particularly in the first half. His seven-minute hat-trick helped fire Madrid into a 4-0 lead and effectively kill off the game. All three of his goals showcased different elements of his game. His first was an instinctive finish, putting himself into the danger zone hoping to capitalise on a mistake. His second goal was an outrageous finish from a player with elite technical ability and his third was a magic bit of improvisation to make a poor cross look a good one.

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Madrid: Courtois 7, Vazquez 7, Militao 7, Alaba 7, Camavinga 7, Kroos 7, Tchouameni 7, Asensio 9, Rodrygo 9, Vinicius Junior 8, Benzema 10*.. subs: Hazard 7, Odriozola 7, Vallejo 6, Ceballos 6

Real Valladolid: Asenjo 6, El Yamiq 6, Fernandez 6, Fresneda 6, Perez 6, Mesa 6, Hongla 6, Monchu 6, Rosa 6, Leon 6, Plata 6.. subs: Torres 6, Perez 6, Aguado 6, Amallah 6, Plano 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

11′ OFF THE POST FOR VALLADOLID! – Roque Mesa finds a yard of space and bends an effort towards goal which cannons off the post! That would have been a superb goal.

12′ A REALLY BIG CHANCE FOR VALLADOLID! – Monchu receives the ball from 12 yards out but fires his effort just wide of the post. There are now whistles at the Bernabeu as the supporters are not happy.

22′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Rodrygo gives Real Madrid the lead! Marco Asensio steams forward from midfield before picking a perfect pass to Rodrygo who then smashes his effort into the bottom corner.

29′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Karim Benzema makes it 2-0! Vinicius Junior whips in a delicious ball in between the defender and goalkeeper, both leave it and Benzema is there to head it home!

32′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Karim Benzema makes it 3-0! Vini Jr feeds the Frenchman who does brilliantly to find a yard of space before letting fly on the edge of the box. A fantastic finish that gave Asenjo had no chance.

36′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – What a goal by Karim Benzema! Rodrygo fires in a cross and Benzema hooks it in over his head to make it 4-0. Superb improvisation from the French forward.

47′ VALLADOLID HIT THE WOODWORK! – Kike Perez fires a brilliant effort towards goal which crashes off the post. That’s the second time they’ve struck the woodwork today.

63′ OFF THE POST! – So unlucky for Rodrygo! He receives the ball form a long ball from Courtois, chops back inside before rattling the post with his shot.

73′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Marco Asensio caps off a fantastic individual performance with a goal. He gave Asenjo the eys before stroking it home into the corner.

91′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Lucas Vazquez rounds off Real Madrid’s superb afternoon with a sixth goal! Eden Hazard did well to find the Spaniard who did the rest.

KEY STAT

It’s been 23 years since Real Valladolid last won at the Santiago Bernabeu.