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Real Madrid put on a clinic in the second-half to beat Real Valladolid and keep within touching distance of Barcelona.
After a tepid first-half, Real Madrid turned on the style in the second 45, as they scored three times to beat Real Valladolid and register their first win of the 2024/25 LALIGA campaign.
With Jude Bellingham out injured, Real Madrid's star attacking trio of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo were expected to shine and hand them their first victory of the season; however, the goals came from the lesser likely Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz and Endrick.
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Key match actions
The first-half, by Real Valladolid’s design, was extremely cagey. Real Madrid's stars struggled to break down the low block, as Paulo Pezzolano’s side were quick to shuffle across and clamp down spaces.
Carlo Ancelotti's side had a dream start to the second half, however, as they scored almost immediately after resumption from a Valverde free kick. The Uruguayan’s attempt received a slight deflection, which sent the shot wider and helped it beat the outstretched Karl Hein.
The goal meant Valladolid could no longer be content with sitting behind the ball and preventing their opponents from finding spaces. It forced them to be adventurous, thereby leaving space behind.
But for poor finishing, Ancelotti's side could have blown their opponents away, with Mbappe and Arder Guler being the biggest culprits.
However, Brahim Diaz was not as forgiving, as he came on to devastating effect. He was released behind the Valladolid backline by a deliciously weighted ball from Eder Militao; in turn, he lobbed the ball over the outrushing Hein to double his side's lead.
The third came in the sixth minute of extra time, eight minutes after Diaz’s goal. It came courtesy of a brilliant strike from 18-year-old Endrick. The youngster was making his debut at the Santiago Bernabeu. With his idol Ronaldo Nazario watching on from the executive box as Real Valladolid's president, he turned his marker before releasing a low and powerful shot.
Real Madrid won 3-0 and moved up to third on the log, two points behind Barcelona and Celta Vigo.
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