La Liga: Vinicius and Benzema scores braces as Real Madrid maintains their lead on top of the league standing after 4-1 thumping of Valencia (Highlights) 2021-2022

Real Madrid thrashed Valencia 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in the capital on Saturday evening. The hosts went through the gears following a slow start, eventually slicing through their opponents with ease during the second half. 

The opening goal came just before half-time when Diakhaby is penalised for blocking off Casemiro's run into the box. Then Benzema steps up and strikes a right-footed penalty into the top corner, with power. 

In the 52nd minutes, Vinicius extends the hosts' lead. Combining with Benzema on the edge of the box before he slotted the ball into the net. 

The Brazilian scored his brace in the night later, Vinicius taps in his second goal from close range after Cillessen can only parry Asensio's right-sided shot into his path.

Meanwhile Valencia were presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot in the 76th minutes. Courtois denies Guedes with a flying stop from the penalty, but the forward first to react when Courtois makes the save low down to his right and he fires home a rebound make it 3-1.

Benzema made it 4-1 after 88 minutes slipping his marker before turning neatly to evade a desperately back-tracking Gaya, then takes an extra touch before firing into the bottom corner