Real Madrid don't suffer Clasico letdown as Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scores in win over Elche

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema scored a goal but had two others overruled by VAR as Real Madrid beat bottom side Elche 3-0 in LaLiga action on Wednesday.

Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio also netted goals in Madrid's comfortable win, who also beat Clasico rivals Barcelona earlier this week.

In-form Valverde gave Real the lead in the 11th minute with a brilliant technical strike from the edge of the area.

Benzema extended Real's lead in the 75th minute after neat interplay with Rodrygo, who assisted Benzema with a clever back-heel pass.

The defending league champions dominated the game throughout and had several chances other than the three efforts ruled out, one by David Alaba and two from Benzema.

Substitute Asensio added the third one minute from time, firing home a close-range finish from Rodrygo's cross.

Valverde has now scored six goals this season -- only Vinicius Junior has more for Madrid -- which is as many as he'd scored in the previous four years.

Carlo Ancelotti said earlier this season that if Valverde didn't get into double figures, he should tear up his coaching licence.

"Ancelotti said I had to score 10 goals this season. I'm focused on doing it, it's a good kind of pressure. I don't want him to have to retire as a manager! It's helped me to feel confident in front of goal." Valverde said.