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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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"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.

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