Mueez Ajao
– Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick in the space of seven minutes as Real Madrid hammered Real Valladolid.
– Carlo Ancelotti’s side are 12 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
– Rodrygo slotted Madrid’s opener into the bottom corner from Marco Asensio’s ball before Benzema headed in Vinicius Jr’s excellent cross.
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– The Frenchman curled in his second from another Vinicius pass and then scored a close-range overhead kick – with Asensio and Lucas Vazquez also netting.
– That was the fastest Madrid hat-trick in a La Liga game since Fernando Hierro’s three goals in six minutes in a 7-0 win over Espanyol in April 1992.
– Rodrygo, who set up Benzema’s third goal and Asensio’s strike, had another finish ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for a Vinicius handball and struck the woodwork too.
– Valladolid, who are just one point above the relegation zone, hit the post in each half through Roque Mesa and Kike Perez.
– It was a morale-boosting win for Madrid, who are practically out of the title race, but face Barca on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.
– Boss Ancelotti was able to bring off key players including Benzema and Vinicius and introduce some players who have barely played recently including Eden Hazard.
– The Belgian, making his first La Liga appearance since September, set up Vazquez’s injury-time goal.
FT #RealMadridRealValladolid 6-0
A statement performance from Real Madrid#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/xEtZDLtuon
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 2, 2023
