Real Madrid 5-1 Valencia: Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo both hit doubles with Jude Bellingham watching on injured… as Los Blancos keep pace with surprise La Liga leaders Girona

• Real Madrid have now scored eight goals in two games without Jude Bellingham
• They thrashed Valencia 5-1 with Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Dani Carvajal scoring
• What is the WORST Premier League hat-trick? – Find out on It’s All Coming Up 

Jude Bellingham watched Real Madrid put five put past Valencia thanks to doubles from the Brazilians Vinicius and Rodrgyo.

The England midfielder dislocated his shoulder in the first half of Madrid’s last league game against Rayo Vallecano and was sat next to his mum Denise as his team won comfortably.

They have scored eight goals in two games without him, albeit against some very generous defending that he would have thrived against.

It was difficult to say which of the two first half goals was stranger: Dani Carvajal scoring from distance with his left foot or Vinicius scoring with his chest.

Carvajal’s goal came first on three minutes. He took Toni Kroos long diagonal pass in his stride and, cutting in from the right slammed a left foot shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili and just inside the post. His first touch had not been great and the ball was left bouncing in front of him but Valencia were slow to close him down and he punished them with his second goal of the season – his first league goals since 2021.

Dani Carvajal, who rarely scores, opened proceedings with a long-range left-footed strike

Vinicius Jr scored a double with goals either side of half-time in the rout over Valencia

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That goal came three minutes in and it was three minutes from the break when Vinicius doubled the advantage. Rodrygo crossed from the right and he could probably have slid in the finish feet first but he launched himself at the ball and it flashed past Mamardashvili.

Valencia had enjoyed spells of position and they had fashioned two clear cut first half chances but on both occasions Andriy Lunin saved well from Hugo Duro. Lunin continues to deputise for Kepa Arrizabalaga in such a way as it will be difficult for the Chelsea loanee to just walk back into the team when he returns from his thigh injury after the international break.

Valencia continued to give Real Madrid far too much room and when they stood off Vinicius on 49 minutes it was 3-0. He lashed a low drive past Mamardashvili. Madrid’s Brazilians were running riot now and when the Valencia keeper gifted Rodrygo possession he scored the fourth. 

Valencia were sunk without trace and it was still only minute 50. And as they looked across to the bench Luka Modric was preparing to come on. He replaced Fede Valverde and joined Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the pitch.

Rodrygo compounded the misery for Valencia with two second-half goals at the Bernabeu

Eduardo Camavinga, celebrating with Vinicius Jr, ran the game from midfield after signing a new contract

Jude Bellingham, pictured playing against Rayo Vallecano, sat out of the game with his mum, Denise, due to injury

Hugo Duro bagged a late consolation for Valencia but his brave efforts carrying the ball back to the centre circle were ultimately in vain 

The 21-year-old French midfielder was running the game. He signed a new contract last week – many would have relaxed; in contrast he was playing like a new deal depended on it.

The game was dragging on for Valencia – it had been boys against men for the youngest team in La Liga and Carvajal almost scored a second. He tried to squeeze a shot inside Mamardashvili’s near post but the keeper saved well.

Vinicius, on a hat-trick, was especially driven to make it 5-0. At the other end Duro’s head had still not dropped and put one over the cross bar. He finally got his goal with three minutes left from Hugo Gonzalez’ cross.

By then Madrid already had five after Rodrygo twisted and turned away from Gabriel Paulista and sent another shot past Valencia’s keeper.

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