Benzema nets 2, Madrid wins 1st game after World Cup break
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a penalty kick during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and Real Madrid at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pablo Garcia]
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Karim Benzema has scored two late goals to lead Real Madrid to a tough 2-0 win at 10-man Valladolid that provisionally puts the team atop the Spanish standings. Madrid was playing its first game since a seven-week World Cup break and needed a handball by Javi Sánchez to get the breakthrough in the 83rd. Benzema converted the penalty and added a second after Valladolid’s Sergio León was sent off with a direct red card. Madrid moved one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of the standings before Xavi Hernández’s side plays at derby with Espanyol.
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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and Real Madrid at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pablo Garcia
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scores the opening goal with a penalty kick during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and Real Madrid at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pablo Garcia
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and Real Madrid at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Garcia)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pablo Garcia