Benzema nets 7-minute hat trick, Madrid beats Valladolid 6-0

MADRID: It was a quick hat trick for Karim Benzema, and a big win for Real Madrid ahead of the last “clasico” of the season. Benzema scored his three goals in a seven-minute span as Madrid crushed Valladolid 6-0 in the Spanish league on Sunday, boosting the team’s morale before it faces Barcelona in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. “We will go to Barcelona with a lot of confidence after today’s game,” Madrid defender David Alaba said.

“We know it’s going to be a different game, it will be tough, but we want to go there and try to get the victory.” Madrid will travel to Barcelona needing to reverse on Wednesday a 1-0 first-leg loss from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Coach Carlo Ancelotti used Benzema and several other regular starters against Valladolid despite Madrid’s upcoming visit to the Camp Nou. Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez also scored for second-place Madrid, which now trails leader Barcelona by 12 points in the league after the Catalan club won at last-place Elche on Saturday.

Madrid maintained its gap to third-place Atletico Madrid at five points. Benzema, who hadn’t scored in the league since February, netted his first goal with a close-range header after a cross by Vinícius Júnior in the 29th minute. The Frenchman added another goal with a shot from outside the area in the 32nd, and got his third with a volley with his back to the net in the 36th.

“When we have Benzema playing at his best level, everything is easier,” Ancelotti said. Benzema was replaced by Eden Hazard to get some rest in the 65th, earning a loud ovation from fans at the Bernabéu. Rodrygo had opened the scoring for Madrid with a low shot from inside the area in the 22nd after a buildup that started with Eduardo Camavinga, who