Madrid, Nov 4 (IANS) Real Madrid defeated Real Valladolid 2-0 in the La Liga 11th round action, bringing an end to its five-game winless streak in the Spanish league.
Real Madrid scored two goals over a five-minute span towards the end of the match on Saturday night to secure a much needed home win in the La Liga debut of interim coach Santiago Solari, who succeeded the dismissed Julen Lopetegui, reports Efe news.
Although Real Madrid dominated possession in the first half, it failed to open the scoring prior to halftime.
Valladolid then was dangerous in the second half and had the best chance to go ahead on the scoreboard, but a pair of shots by Ruben Alcaraz and Toni hit the woodwork and Courtois stopped a potential goal by Toni in a one-on-one opportunity.
Solari, however, made a key second-half substitution when he sent in Vinicius Jr., who replaced winger Asensio in the 73rd minute and gave Real Madrid the lead 10 minutes later on a shot that ricocheted off defender Kiko Olivas and into Valladolid’s goal.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos then successfully converted a penalty five minutes later to give his side an insurance goal.
With the win, Real Madrid provisionally holds the sixth spot in the La Liga standings with 17 points, while Valladolid is eighth with 16 points.
–IANS
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