Bale stars as Real Madrid defeat Valladolid

Madrid, Dec 1 (IANS) Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick and set up another goal for Karim Benzema as Real Madrid enjoyed a placid night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a 4-0 win over Valladolid in Spanish Primera Liga football.

Bale scored after 30, 63 and 90 minutes, as well as setting up Benzema for his side’s second goal of the night and help forget Cristiano Ronaldo, who was out injured for the second game in succession here Saturday night, reports Xinhua.

Sans Ronaldo, Madrid were still able to start with attacking talents Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Isco were all in the starting 11, along with Luka Modric in central midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.

As expected Madrid began by dominating the play and Sergio Ramos, much criticised following the red card he saw against Galatasaray in the Champions league in midweek twice went close with headers. Di Maria also rattled the Valladolid crossbar with a powerful left foot shot.

Bale and Benzema also saw shots fly close to the Valladolid goal as the home side dominated the play. Valladolid were making life difficult for Real Madrid by getting men behind the ball.

It needed an error from Valladolid keeper, Mariao to help Bale open the scoring. Di Maria shot from a narrow angle and the keeper was only able to punch the ball onto Bale’s head for him to head home from 10 yards.

The game was virtually over as a contest after 35 minutes when Benzema made it 2-0 with a close range header following a Bale cross from the right.

Benzema found space between the two central defenders to meet an excellent in-swinging ball from the star signing and was unlucky to see a second ruled out just before Bale made it 3-0, for a questionable offside decision.

Bale started the move which led to his second of the night with a pass to Marcelo, whose low ball was teed up by the defense for Bale to score from 10 yards out.

Marcelo set Bale up for his hat-trick in the last minute with a run on the left which meant the Welshman only had to tap the ball into the empty net.