Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia: Asensio and Vinicius score against managerless visitors

Vinicius marked his 200th game for Real Madrid with a goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side moved within five points of leaders Barcelona.

The Brazilian was also shot by a wild tackle from Gabriel Paulista in the second half and the former Arsenal defender was shown a red card by referee Javier Alberola.

It was Vinicius’ 49th goal for Madrid and the perfect way to score making him the third youngest player behind Raúl and Iker Casillas to reach the matches milestone.

The 22-year-old broke through Valencia’s spotty defense and finished off Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had done his best to hold Madrid at bay until the 52nd minute, when Marco Asensio brilliantly slotted in from the edge of the box to hit the Real Madrid the advantage. advantage, Vinicius’s second came three minutes later.

For Valencia it was a miserable night under new caretaker manager Voro, making his eighth debut on the Valencia bench.

Vinicius Junior marked his 200th match for Real Madrid with a goal in the second half

The Brazilian full-back became the third-youngest player to reach the milestone at Madrid

Marco Asensio had opened the scoring with a tremendous effort at the start of the second half.

This was the team’s first match since Gennaro Gattuso departed on Monday and continued his miserable streak.

Some positive aspects of the match will be taken out. They created chances in the first half with Samu Lino always dangerous and Yunus Musah full of run in midfield.

They were also lucky just before the break when Antonio Rudiger thought he had scored, but Karim Benzema fouled Musah and the goal was disallowed.

There was a hand and elbow to the face and once the player went down and the referee controlled him on the field, there would only be one result.

Ancelotti had his substitutes warming up at half-time and the temptation was there to make changes but with those early goals from Vinicius and Asensio the tension subsided and Valencia collapsed with blood on the Paulista’s head making hard work impossible.

It could have been worse for them, but Mamardashvili kept the score low with three superb late saves.

He went down well to avoid Fede Valverde’s shot; he blocked Luka Modric’s shot at the near post and misled Rodrygo’s last free-kick with a strong hand.

In the end, the only downside to the win was seeing Karim Benzema limping off in the second half and Eder Militao asking to be substituted before the break with what looked like a groin problem.

Gabriel Paulista saw the direct red card after a wild tackle on Vinicius Junior

The ex-Arsenal defender’s challenge sparked a strong response from Real Madrid players

The interim coach of Valencia saw his team live a miserable evening at the Santiago Bernabéu

There are big games on the horizon and Real Madrid hope that both players can play their part.

At least the gap between them and the leaders has been closed.

Valencia has a second half of the season to play, but they are one point from relegation, at least they will not have to play at the Bernabéu again this season: they have not won there since 2008 when Ronald Koeman was their coach.