France international Karim Benzema was back to his best with two goals as he helped his Real Madrid team to a convincing 4-1 home win over Valencia in a Spanish La Liga game. The big victory over Los Che ensured that Real Madrid opened up an eight-point lead at the summit as they bounced back from the defeat to Getafe.
Real Madrid took the lead through France national team striker Benzema with two first half minutes left to play after Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was fouled in the box.The Valencia players were angered by the decision to award the home team a spot kick and Benzema made no mistake from the controversial penalty. The penalty goal from Benzema gave Madrid a slender advantage at the half-time interval.
Hosts Real Madrid scored twice in nine second half minutes to edge 3-0 ahead with the impressive Vinicius Junior responsible for the two goals. The Brazilian attacker doubled the lead for the La Liga pacesetters seven minutes into the second half before he completed his brace on 62 minutes. Valencia thereafter pulled one back through Portuguese winger Gonzalo Guedes. Guedes had his penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid goal before he headed the rebound into the back of the net. It took Real Madrid just twelve (12) minutes to restore their three-goal advantage through France striker Benzema with two minutes left to play.
With his two goals against Valencia, France international Benzema now has 301 goals for Real Madrid. Only two players namely Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stefano have more goals for the club.