Vinicius Junior marked his 200th Real Madrid appearance in style with the second goal in a 2-0 win against Valencia.
The Brazilian burst into the area from inside his own half to double Los Blancos’ lead just 90 seconds after Marco Asensio’s stunning strike opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid, who failed to score against Real Sociedad on Sunday, encountered similar first-half frustration and saw Antonio Rudiger’s header disallowed before half-time.
That did not deter Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who responded in style in the second period, where Valencia finished with 10 men after Gabriel Paulista was sent off.
Madrid took just three minutes to break through Valencia’s defence, Luka Modric slotting in a pass for Asensio but a superb save from Giorgio Mamardashvili’s boot kept him out.
Asensio had another chance after Karim Benzema got in his way inside the box, but Gabriel was on hand with an excellent block to deflect the strike safely over the bar.
Los Blancos thought they had found their breakthrough on the brink of half-time, Rudiger curling a header off the right-hand post, but referee Javier Alberola Rojas waved the effort away for Benzema’s foul on Yunus Musah as Modric’s corner was whipped in. in.
Six minutes after the restart, the home team finally broke the deadlock. It was third time lucky for Asensio, who won the ball outside the box and unleashed a wild left-footed drive that left Mamardashvili stranded.
The lead was doubled just 90 seconds later, Vinicius bursting into space from the left and drove into the area to finish comfortably under the Valencia stopper.
Valencia’s problems were compounded when Gabriel was ordered to make a terrible hack on compatriot Vinicius, who thankfully escaped injury.
Real Madrid player ratings
GK – Thibaut Courtois – 5/10 – Had literally nothing to do.
RB – Nacho Fernandez – 6/10 – Got forward on his side well.
CB – Eder Militao – N/A – Subbed with an injury in the first half.
CB – Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Scored an offside goal and had basically nothing to do in the defensive third.
LB – Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10 – Looks like he’s found a position he can call home at left-back.
CM – Luka Modric – 7/10 – His usual self.
CM – Toni Kroos – 5/10 – He doesn’t look as comfortable in the defensive midfield position.
CM – Dani Ceballos – 6/10 – Did well again in midfield.
RW – Marco Asensio – 8/10 – Missed a few chances in the first half but more than made up for them in the second with a stunning goal.
ST – Karim Benzema – 7/10 – His passing was as good as ever,
LW – Vinicius Junior – 8/10 – Scored a wonderful goal to seal the win.
SUB – Dani Carvajal – 6/10.
SUB – Rodrygo Goes – 6/10.
SUB – Federico Valverde – N/A.
SUB – Aurelien Tchouameni – N/A.
