Rodrygo (C) celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 11, 2023. (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid 5-1 Valencia : Carlo Ancelotti’s men destroy the Bats in six-goal thriller
Daniel Carvajal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the match between Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 11, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Real Madrid show off their scoring boots at the Bernabeu
In a relentless pursuit of La Liga, Real Madrid secured another convincing home victory after taking down Valencia. On their home turf, Los Blancos encountered a fresh challenge as they aimed to clinch three vital points following an impressive display against Braga earlier in the week.
Real Madrid picked up right where they left off against Braga, initiating the game aggressively. The visitors, too, looked comfortable on the ball and were making solid runs inside the Madrid box.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were the first to break their duck courtesy of a fine cross delivered by Toni Kroos to Dani Carvajal, who took a couple of touches only to slot it back inside the Valencia net. A display of finesse, to say the least, from the Spaniard.
Just when Madrid seemed to have taken control of the game, the Bats kept their search on for an equalizer. Hugo Duro was a constant thorn in the Merengues’ backline as he came close bringing parity but was unfortunate to see his attempts denied by Andriy Lunin.
Right before the close of the first half, Vinicius Jr. stepped up for Los Blancos after he calmly controlled a low cross from Rodrygo with his chest before slotting the ball past Mamardashvilli to make it 2-0 in favor of the hosts.
The second half went from bad to worse for the visitors after Los Blancos kept their goal fest going as Vinicius added his second goal of the night. Mamardashvili played an unlikely role in Real’s fourth goal after he played a poor pass to Rodrygo’s feet, only for the Brazilian to capitalize on it and slam it back into the Valencia net.
Real Madrid showed a hunger for a fifth goal with Vinicius Jr. exhibiting relentless energy in his pursuit of a hat-trick for his side. By the hour mark, the Bats were defeated, spending the remaining half of the game confined to their own half.
The closing minutes of the game saw Rodrygo add in a fifth and his second goal of the night. Hugo Duro surprisingly grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors after he converted a Hugo Gonzalez cross with a decent right-footed volley past Lunin. A dampener for Lunin, considering his hard work between the sticks.
This latest win at home now sees Real Madrid move closer to table toppers Girona, who are only two points clear at the top. With the international break set to commence next week, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are next scheduled to make their return in an away assignment against Cadiz on November 26..
