Benzema rescues Real Madrid to close the year with victory

Benzema rescues Real Madrid to close the year with victory

A final double from the French truncates Pucelana's hope and allows the whites to sleep leaders

MADRID, 30 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid (0-2) this Friday on matchday 15 of LaLiga Santander, on their return to competition after the break for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with a victory that tightens the lead that they will have to fight for recover Barça, in the derby against Espanyol before the end of the year grapes.

Carlo Ancelotti's pupils culminated their particular 'pre-season' at Nuevo José Zorrilla, in what was the first test for the white team after a month and a half without the League. The saves by Courtois and the double by Benzema, in the last ten minutes of the game, allowed the whites to sleep as leaders and close 2022 with a new victory with which they will gain strength for the 17 games that they will have to play between January and february.

The absence of Modric gave wings to the ownership of Ceballos, in an atypical midfield with Kroos and Valverde. Thus, the white midfield did not take long to take control of a game that had the first clear opportunity of the match in the boots of Benzema. The French forward, who returned to the starting eleven after not doing so since last October 19, sent a rebound from Masip to Vinicius's shot high.

Madrid took the initiative, with those of Pucela waiting for their moment. Well planted on the field of play, the Blanquivioleta team came to put Courtois in serious trouble, who had to get a spectacular hand in the top corner to deflect Aguado's shot from the edge.

With everything to be decided, the second half started with greater intensity. Knowing the importance of adding three in this 'beginning' of the competition, both went for the clash. Thus, Pacheta's team was able to end the equalizer, but once again Courtois was decisive again, covering Sergio León's header. Vinicius had the reply on the next play, but his ball ended up going high.

Round-trip match that was not decided in either of the two areas, until a handball from Javi Sánchez ended up decanting the match. The referee, after reviewing, indicated the penalty spot from where Benzema did not miss. The advantage on the scoreboard, added to the expulsion of Sergio León for protesting, allowed the whites to face the last stretch of the game with greater calm.

Even so, the Frenchman had time to add another goal to his private account before the end. The Ballon d'Or received an assist from Camavinga, who came out as a shock in the last half hour, to sentence a Pucela who saw him close for 80 minutes. The return to action and the end of the year smiled at a Madrid that continues with Courtois and Benzema as protagonists.

--RESULT: REAL VALLADOLID, 0 - REAL MADRID, 2. (0-0, at halftime).

VALLADOLID: Masip; Fresneda, Joaquín, Javi Sánchez, Escudero (Luis Pérez, min.59); Roque Mesa (Kike, min.60), Aguado, Monchu (Rosa, min.84); Iván Sánchez (Silver, min.55), Óscar Plano (Kenedy, min.84) and Sergio León.

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal (Lucas Vázquez, min.60), Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Valverde (Tchouaméni, min.87), Ceballos (Camavinga, min.69); Asensio (Rodrygo, min.60), Benzema and Vinicius (Modric, min.88).

1-0, minute 83, Benzema (Penalti).

2-0, minute 89, Benzema.

--REFEREE: Munuera Montero (C. Andaluz). He admonished Javi Sánchez (min.82) and Fernández (min.82) by Valladolid. He sent off Sergio León (min.82).

--STADIUM: José Zorrilla, 25,950 spectators.