La Liga 2022-23 Highlights: Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia
Real Madrid beat Valencia in La Liga 2022-23 MD 19 as Vinicius Junior marked his 200th Real Madrid appearance in style with the second goal at Santiago Bernabeu.
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Real Madrid keep up with the title race after defeating Valencia
The goalless draw against Real Sociedad last time out, plus FCB‘s victory over Real Betis left Los Blancos eight adrift of their great rivals. Los Blancos understood that they had to start winning to keep up with the title race.
First half at home saw somewhat similar frustration as Madrid failed to score despite having chances within matter of early minutes.
Luka Modric created a chance by feeding Marco Asensio whose shot was finely saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Spanish star had another chance, this time it was Karim Benzema’s backheel which created the space inside the area, but former Arsenal Gabriel Paulista was the right man at the right time to block the strike.
Third-time a charm for Asensio, as he finally scored with his left-foot and it was a sensational one for the eyes, only six minutes after the restart, to break the deadlock.
The lead was doubled just 90 seconds later when Vinicius was at his best: pacing. He bursted down into the left and slot a finish to beat Valencia’s stopper.
Vinicius Junior marked his 200th Real Madrid appearance in style with this second goal and it was more than enough for Los Blancos to hold on to the lead until the final whistle.
The Brazilian striker has been involved in 86 goals with Los Blancos (49 goals, 37 assists), he has just get better and better.
Things went from bad to worse for Valencia, as the visitors were only with 10 men after Gabriel Paulista’ red card.
Gabriel was given his marching orders for a horrendous hack on compatriot Vinicius (both Brazilian).
Gabriel’s red card was also the final notable highlight of the game, as Real Madrid got what they need: 3 points and the confidence back.
Prior to this win, Ancelotti’s side dropped points in four of their last seven league matches — having done so just once in their first 11 LaLiga games.
It is also worth noting that Benzema, despite not scoring, delivered two assists in Madrid’s win.
With two assists, Benzema has now been involved in 13 goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions, having been involved in just five in his first nine this season.
Notable stats and facts from Opta
- Madrid have not lost any of their last 15 home games against Valencia in LaLiga (W10 D5), equalling their longest unbeaten run against them on home soil in the top-flight (15 between 1969 and 1983 – W13 D2).
- Valencia failed to have a shot during the first 45 minutes in a single LaLiga game for the first time since February 2021.
- Benzema has equalled Paco Gento (427) as the seventh Madrid player with the most games played in LaLiga.
- Since the 2015-16 campaign, among LaLiga players with 30+ goals, only Dani Parejo (30.2 per cent) has a higher percentage of his goals scored from outside the box than Asensio (26.5 per cent).
- Since the start of 2012-13 season, no other LaLiga team have seen more red cards than Valencia (68 in 399 games).
- This was Carlo Ancelotti’s 850th managerial game in the Top five European leagues (486 in Serie A, 134 in the Premier League, 133 in LaLiga, 57 in Ligue 1 and 40 in the Bundesliga).
Up next for Madrid
Madrid are on the road against Mallorca on Sunday, with Valencia travelling to tackle Girona on the same day.
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TOM is a dedicated soccer writer whose words come alive on the page, mirroring the electric energy of the pitch. With a keen eye for detail and an unbridled love for the sport
