REAL MADRID 3-0 VALENCIA: ASENSIO SCORES AFTER LENGTHY ABSENCE

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Marco Asensio came from bench to score and assist in his first match after spending 399 days in the sidelines as Los Blancos overcame Valencia 3-0 at home.

The 24 year old might have stolen the headline in a match Karim Benzema made history as he becomes Real Madrid fifth all-time highest scorer with 243 goals.

Both sides pressed each other in the opening exchanges but it was the host who carved an opening in the tenth minute. Benzema cut back finding Kroos whose first time shot was comfortably saved by Cillessen. 

The keeper then denied hazard soon after following a quick one-two with Benzema.

The clearest chance fell for the visitors though as Moreno's shot hit the woodwork after a quick counter attack.

Valencia continued to press and found the net through Moreno in the 21st minute but the goal was ruled out as VAR review showed Maxi Gómez was marginally offside in the build up.

The away side finished the first half as the better side as neither teams could find a break through.

The first leg at the Mestalla ended in a 1-1 draw but with the halftime talk from Zinedine Zidane no doubt ringing in their ears, the host starting the second half with a lot of urgency and precision.

The opener did arrive in the 60th minute. Hazard exchanging a neat one-two with Modric before laying it off to Benzema to sidefoot home.

The home side doubled their lead fourteen minutes later through Marco Asensio who was making his return from injury.

Ferlan Mendy outpaced his maker in the area before cutting back the pass to Asensio who delivered a first time volley pass Cillessen with his first touch of the game.
Benzema would gone on to score Madrid's third and his second of the night with a goal of the season contender with just five minutes remaining.

A Valencia attack was halted by an excellent tackle by casemiro who passed to Kroos. The German threaded the ball to Asensio in the right side, the Spaniard then passed to the Benzema who took the ball over an opponent with his right leg before unleashing an unstoppable volley with his weaker foot!

Things went from bad to worst for Valencia as substitute, Kang-In Lee was shown a straight card for a flurry of wild kick at Sergio Ramos with Madrid bossing possession until the end of the final whistle.

Real Madrid return to within two points of Barcelona with a trip to 6th place Real Sociedad in the cards on Sunday.








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