Karim Benzema delivered a stunning seven‑minute hat‑trick as Real Madrid thrashed Real Valladolid 6‑0 on Sunday in La Liga. The champions, now second in the table, sit 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Elche on Saturday, with 11 games left for each side. Carlo Ancelotti’s side used the victory as a warm‑up for their Copa del Rey semi‑final on Wednesday, dismantling the helpless visitors, who sit 16th and a point above the drop zone.
Rodrygo opened the scoring early, after 22 minutes, following a pass from Marco Asensio. Benzema then struck twice: first from a Vinícius Júnior cross in the 29th minute, and again four minutes later from a similar assist, curling the ball from the edge of the box. His hat‑trick was completed in the 36th minute when Rodrygo crossed and Benzema executed an impressive overhead kick from inside the six‑yard area, marking his 14th league goal of the season. The 35‑year‑old overtook Getafe’s Enes Ünal to become the second‑top scorer in the division, behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (17).
Marco Asensio added a fifth goal in the second half, and Lucas Vázquez sealed the rout with a late strike. Rodrygo also had a goal disallowed for handball, while Vinícius set up two of Benzema’s strikes. “The team went out with a lot of conviction and desire to win in front of our fans,” Vázquez told DAZN. “Karim is a spectacular, world‑class player. He’s been here 14 years and scores goals year after year. I’m very happy to play with him.”
Ancelotti praised his attacking line‑up: “The four up front delivered in all aspects. Everyone combined well, alternating movements with mobility and attacking from deep—that’s what we wanted.” He hinted that Rodrygo could start against Barcelona at Camp Nou, noting the Brazilian’s current danger. “Rodrygo is not ruled out against Barca; there’s a possibility he could play,” Ancelotti said. “It’s hard to set the line‑up for Wednesday; we have a disadvantage after the first leg and need to do something. Having Rodrygo, whatever the situation, will make me calmer.”
In the second half, Madrid eased off, with Belgian winger Eden Hazard making his first league appearance since September as a substitute for Benzema. After Rodrygo assisted Asensio for a goal, Hazard set up Vázquez to finish the match in stoppage time. Vinícius was also rested ahead of the upcoming Clasico. After a 1‑0 first‑leg loss to Barcelona in March, Los Blancos now appear far more threatening.
Valladolid’s coach, Pacheta, lamented the defeat: “Any setback melts us like a sugar cube. We can’t commit fouls, we can’t let them run at us, we made too many mistakes. We have to be stronger in attack, defence, transition, in everything.” Elsewhere, Celta Vigo drew 2‑2 with Almería (18th), while Real Sociedad visit Villarreal and Atlético Madrid host Real Betis later on Sunday.
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