Real Madrid 4-1 Valencia: 5 Talking Points as Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr run riot | La Liga 2021-22

Karim Benzema celebrates with Vinicius Jr.
Karim Benzema celebrates with Vinicius Jr.

#3 Valencia's forwards are nowhere to be seen

Goncalo Guedes looks dejected after Valencia's loss against Real Madrid.
Goncalo Guedes looks dejected after Valencia's loss against Real Madrid.

Maximiliano Gomez and Yunus Musah disappeared against Real Madrid. Both Valencia strikers had zero shots on target throughout the game. Eder Militao and David Alaba gave them no room to exploit.

The visitors were completely shut down the centre. The only option they had was to go through wider channels. Although Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vasquez were amazing for most of the game, the Frenchman conceded an avoidable penalty.


#2 Vinicius Jr makes a grand comeback for Real Madrid

Vinicius celebrates after scoring against Valencia after returning from a short layoff.
Vinicius celebrates after scoring against Valencia after returning from a short layoff.

Vinicius Jr missed quite a few games after testing positive for COVID-19. The Brazilian was sorely missed on the left. However, his performance on Saturday is a testament to his growing importance to Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Vinicius opened his account for the night following a beautiful sequence with Benzema. He completed his brace after pouncing on a rebound following a save off Asensio. The 21-year-old enjoyed his time on the pitch, dazzling down the left flank

He now has 12 league goals for the season, second behind his attacking partner in the La Liga scoring charts.

#1 Karim Benzema nets brace on a landmark night

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal..
Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal..

Karim Benzema was back to his best against Valencia after a couple of sub-par performances.

The Frenchman scored a brace, the first of them being a landmark strike. Benzema became only the fourth player to score 300 goals for Real Madrid. He now has 22 for the season, including 17 in La Liga.

Benzema oozed class throughout the game, with his combination plays with Vinicius and Asensio high up the pitch. The highlight of his performance was his sublime finish to grab his second and Madrid's fourth of the night.

The 34-year-old will look to continue his imperious form against Barcelona, whom the Spanish giants meet in the Spanish Super Cup midweek.

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