Real Madrid closed in on LaLiga leaders Girona FC with a 5-1 thrashing of Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Star midfielder Jude Bellingham was unavailable yet again due to a shoulder problem, with Brahim Diaz in for him as Madrid handed Dani Carvajal a return too.
Carvajal needed just two minutes to get going when he made a blind run to get on the end of Toni Kroos's long pass and send a sumptuous volley into the near corner.
Kroos went in search of their second goal with a pin-point free-kick over the defensive wall right outside the area, but he hit the underside of the crossbar.
Los Che looked to draw level minutes later through a one-on-one by Hugo Duro, but Real shot-stopper Andriy Lunin produced a point-blank save.
After a spate of misses either end, Los Blanco got a second goal in the closing five minutes to halftime when Vinicius Junior headed in a surging ball after the defence went to sleep.
Vinicius continued from where he left off after the break and completed his brace when he drifted towards the area before cutting side to find the near post.
Madrid made it four immediately thereafter when a defensive lapse in a dangerous position by Los Che saw Rodyrgo pounce to place a low effort past Giorgi Mamardashvilli.
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to make a change at the midway mark, with Luka Modric introduced for Federico Valverde.
The home side didn't let up as Rodrygo pulled wide of the area to turn and twist before firing into the far corner in the last five minutes.
Valencia got a consolation goal with two minutes to play when a late run at the near post saw Hugo Duro attack a right-sided cross to riffle in off Lunin's glove.
The home side's advantage though was not under any threat and moved to within two points of the leaders Girona.
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