K. Benzema

Real Madrid player ratings: Karim Benzema bags three, Vinicius Jr sets up two as Real Madrid smash SIX past Real Valladolid ahead of Copa Clasico

Thomas Hindle
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Karim Benzema 2022-23
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A rampant Real Madrid side put six past Valladolid in a promising warm-up for their Copa del Rey contest with Barcelona midweek

Three goals in seven first-half minutes from Karim Benzema broke open a tight contest as Real Madrid cruised to a 6-0 victory over Valladolid.

Rodrygo opened the scoring after a dour start. Marco Asensio created it, dribbling through the centre of the pitch and slipping the Brazilian through — who drove his finish into the far corner.

Benzema made it two five minutes later, nodding Vinicius Jr's angled cross home from short range. He completed his hat-trick before half-time, with a fine curler and acrobatic flick, rounding out a devastating first-half showing. Asensio and Lucas Vazquez added two more in the second, turning a rout into a thrashing.

This win will likely be of little consequence in La Liga; Los Blancos trail Barcelona by 12 points in the league. But with the two sides due to meet in a Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday, it might just have been the perfect warm-up.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

    Made one save early, a second after half-time. Spent the minutes in between watching.

    Lucas Vazquez (8/10):

    Impressed in a rare showing. Was reliable going forward, and bagged Madrid's sixth in stoppage time.

    Eder Militao (7/10):

    Did most of his work recycling possession.

    David Alaba (7/10):

    Didn't put a foot wrong before being handed a welcome rest after 70 minutes.

    Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

    Deployed at left-back once again, despite openly disliking the position. Looked far happier going forward.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Aurelien Tchouameni (8/10):

    Operated in a double-pivot with Kroos, which seemed to suit him more than as a lone No.6. Started the move for the first goal.

    Toni Kroos (7/10):

    Kept the ball moving, which is all he had to do, really.

    Rodrygo (8/10):

    Played as a 10 — his preferred position. Got on the scoresheet, grabbed an assist, made his case for a start on Wednesday.

    Vinicius Jr. (8/10):

    Operated on the left of a 4-2-3-1. A slightly deeper position didn't always suit him, but he set up two for Benzema. Almost had a hat-trick of assists, before a handball in the build-up saw the goal ruled out.

    Marco Asensio (8/10):

    Assisted Rodrygo's opener with a lovely run and through-ball. Bagged a goal of his own in the second half. Playing his way into a new contract.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Karim Benzema (9/10):

    Scored an easy one, a hard one, and an outrageous one. Two weeks off seems to have done the striker the world of good. If this Benzema shows up on Wednesday, Real will fancy their chances.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Eden Hazard (7/10):

    Is alive, apparently. Broke down a counter-attack with a silly handball before assisting in the 92nd minute.

    Jesus Vallejo (6/10):

    Had little to do defensively, but gave Alaba a much-needed rest.

    Dani Ceballos (6/10):

    Given a chance to impress after falling out of the XI in recent weeks. Typically slick on the ball.

    Alvaro Odriozola (N/A):

    No time to make an impact.

    Carlo Ancelotti (9/10):

    Benched Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Fede Valverde and switched formation to a slightly unfamiliar 4-2-3-1. And it worked wonders. Madrid were poor for 25 minutes, but once the goal went in, Los Blancos exploded. Ancelotti will hope for a similar attacking performance against a very good defensive Barcelona side on Wednesday.