Real Valladolid 0-2 Real Madrid: Karim Benzema fires champions to victory on the road

Real Madrid moved top of La Liga with an unconvincing 2-0 win against 10-man Real Valladolid.

Inside the first 15 minutes Madrid were denied a penalty despite Javi Sanchez’s apparent handball, with Carlo Ancelotti left furious at the decision.

Minutes later Karim Benzema blazed over the bar from point-blank range, then Antonio Rudiger headed wide.

Valladolid had been stretched almost to breaking but from midway through the first half they were the dominant side.

Thibaut Courtois denied Alvaro Aguado’s curling effort shortly before the break, while the hosts had a penalty appeal of their own turned down before another Aguado chance.

On the hour mark, Valladolid lost both Roque Mesa and Julian Escudero to injury, while Madrid introduced Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo.

Another trio of brilliant Courtois saves were required to keep the scores level with 20 minutes to play.

With 10 minutes remaining, Rudiger headed onto the arm of Sanchez and this time the VAR intervened to award the champions a late penalty. In the furious aftermath, Sergio Leon was sent off.

Benzema stepped up to convert the spot kick after a long wait.

Shortly afterwards Benzema wrapped up the victory with his second goal, courtesy of a Luka Modric cameo, to give Madrid possession of top spot in La Liga.

Friday's victory over Valladolid was a perfect demonstration of the champions' strength in depth. A full team of seasoned internationals started the match for Madrid, and yet manager Ancelotti was able to call on Rodrygo, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga as second-half substitutes. Compare this with the devastating impact that the injuries to Mesa and Escudero had on Valladolid's performance. Madrid played well beneath their best for the opening hour of the match, but they always had the safety net of their star-studded bench.

While a number of Valladolid's players could easily have been nominated, Brazilian winger Vinicius was the best player on the pitch. Vinicius was tireless in his running - he made six dribbles in the match - and brave with the ball at his feet. Often accused of being too willing to pass, Vinicius shot on sight against Valladolid, exactly what was required.

While not directly involved in either goal, Vinicius was the sole constant threat for Madrid.

Valladolid: Masip 6, Fresneda 6, Joaquin 6, Javi Sanchez 5, Escudero 6, Roque Mesa 7, Monchu 6, Aguado 7, Ivan Sanchez 5, Sergio Leon 6, Oscar Plano 6. Subs: Luis Perez N/A, Plata 6, Kenedy N/A,

Madrid: Courtois 8, Carvajal 6, Alaba 6, Kroos 6, Benzema 7, Asensio 6, Valverde 6, Ceballos 5, Vinicius 8, Rudiger 7, Mendy 7. Subs: Modric 8, Camavinga 7, Lucas 6, Tchouameni 7, Rodrygo 6

8' RUDIGER HEADS WIDE: With the goal begging, the German heads across goal to no one in particular.

13' NO PENALTY: Javi Sanchez somehow escapes conceding a penalty after what seemed a pretty clear handball.

19' BENZEMA MISSES FROM POINT BLANK: First Vinicius, then Benzema have their chances to score from close range but neither makes the chance count. A huge miss by the French veteran.

38' COURTOIS SAVES BRILLIANTLY: Plano's curling effort is pushed away by the big Belgian goalkeeper. A great strike and a better save.

81' PENALTY REAL MADRID: After escaping conceding a penalty in the first half, Javi Sanchez has been punished on this occasion.

82' SERGIO LEON SENT OFF: A flurry of cards from the referee here in the late moments as Valladolid are reduced to 10.

83' GOAL: REAL MADRID: Karim Benzema slots the penalty after a long wait.

89' GOAL: REAL MADRID: Substitute Luka Modric plays a lovely one two with Eduardo Camavinga who in turn sets up Benzema in the box. The French veteran finishes smartly to all but seal victory.

Real Valladolid: Three - The number of key passes made by Roque Mesa in his 59 minutes of action before being stretchered off. No player on the pitch managed more. It was no surprise to see that the better part of the hosts' attacking thrust went with him.

Real Madrid: Six - The number of shots piled on by Real Madrid in the final ten minutes of the match (plus stoppage time). Five of those attempts came from at least as close to the goal as the penalty spot, underlining the visitors' late dominance in this match. The ability of the champions to find that gear late in matches is the reason they do so often as they did on Friday and win late.