Benzema helps Real take the top of the table
The turning point came in the 80th minute corner, when Antonio Rudiger headed home Javi Sanchez. After reviewing the video, referee Jose Munuera gave Real a penalty and a yellow card for Sanchez. Not only that, he also warned Joaquin Fernandez and fired Sergio Leon for overreacting.
As the game continued, Benzema opened the scoring with a penalty kick that sank to the left corner, while goalkeeper Jordi Masip poured to the right.
Six minutes later, Eduardo Camavinga smashed Luka Modric on the left and sped into the box. The French midfielder crossed to let Benzema block a beat and shot to the near corner, completing the double and making the score 2-0. With 40 goals, including 32 goals and eight assists, Benzema is the La Liga player who has contributed to the most goals in 2022.
Real also had a chance in the fifth minute, but Modric shot over the bar after Lucas Vazquez's cross. However, the 2-0 victory was enough to help Real take the top of Barca's table - the team will play a derby with Espanyol at Camp Nou today.
Before the explosion, Real went through a difficult first half. The royal side controlled the ball 56%, finishing 8 times with three shots on target - compared to 8 and 2 for the opponent. The best opportunity came in the 17th minute, when Vinicius corrected his heart from a tight angle, making Valladolid's goalkeeper unable to catch. The ball bounced out of range, but Benzema kicked his left foot over the bar.
The rest of the time, Valladolid has many dangerous phases. In the 28th minute, from Fresneda Corraliza's cross, Javi Sanchez caught the ball in the penalty area and turned to shoot over the bar. Eight minutes later, Alvaro Aguado kicked the ball to the top corner, but Thibaut Courtois flew to save Real.
In the second half, Valladolid continued to threaten the away team's goal. In the 67th minute, from the left corner, Aguado shot straight, but Courtois still focused on the rescue. A minute later, the Belgian goalkeeper shined again with a flying phase to save Leon's diagonal header. Wasting the opportunity, Valladolid paid the price in the last 10 minutes.
Real will welcome the new year 2023 with a trip to the fourth-tier club Cacereno in the round of 16 of the King's Cup on January 3, and Valladolid will play Alaves a day later.
