Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo bag braces as five-star Real Madrid see off Valencia

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 5-1 thumping of Valencia to keep pace with leaders Girona.

Madrid had dropped points at home to Rayo Vallecano last weekend, but Girona’s victory over the same opponent earlier on Saturday briefly opened up a five-point gap at the summit.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side responded in perfect fashion with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo each scoring doubles in a comfortable victory at Santiago Bernabeu.

@RealMadriden 5-1 @valenciacf_en 3′ @DaniCarvajal92 42′ @ViniJr 49′ @ViniJr 50′ @RodrygoGoes 84′ @RodrygoGoes 88′ Hugo Duro#RealMadridValencia | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/VdjPF5aFh9

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) November 11, 2023

While Madrid had booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a midweek success over Braga, Jude Bellingham had added to the club’s growing list to cast doubt over his England involvement next week.

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal quickly dispelled any lingering gloom with a superb opener in the third minute.

Toni Kroos picked out Carvajal with an inch-perfect crossfield pass, which was controlled by the right-back before he smashed the ball home on the half-volley from 22 yards with his weaker foot.

Ancelotti’s team were in the mood now and Kroos struck the crossbar soon after, before Valencia did settle, but they were hit with a sucker-punch before half-time.

Rodrygo was released down the right and his wicked delivery found Vinicius Jr, who produced an unconventional finish of a chest of the ball into the ground and beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 42nd minute.

If Valencia hoped the break would interrupt Madrid’s momentum, it failed miserably with a third following four minutes after the interval.

After Rodrygo fizzed the ball to Vinicius Jr, the Brazil attacker cut inside and drilled an effort into the bottom corner.

It was 4-0 within 60 seconds when Mamardashvili’s night went from bad to worse when his attempted pass out from the back was intercepted by Rodrygo and he slotted into the corner before copying Cristian Ronaldo’s siu celebration.

Vinicius Jr was denied his hat-trick just past the hour mark when his chipped effort was blocked and he was substituted with 82 minutes on the clock.

The goal frenzy had not finished there though with Rodrygo able to pick up the mantle and grab his second of the evening.

Madrid substitute Fran Garcia found Rodrygo and the youngster twisted and turned inside the penalty area before he fired the ball into the far corner in the 84th minute.

Valencia were able to have the final say on proceedings when Hugo Gonzalez got to the right byline and crossed in for Hugo Duro to hook home on the turn, but it failed to spoil a five-star display by Madrid.

Ancelotti’s title hopefuls are once again two points behind Girona going into the international break with a trip to Cadiz to come in a fortnight.