Real Madrid 4-1 Valencia summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga

The perfect tonic for Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid head to Saudi Arabia. Benzema bags goals No. 300 and 301 in a Real Madrid shirt with the first strike from the penalty spot that was hotly disputed by Valencia. Vini Jr. was on target to bag a brace as the side from the capital outplayed Valencia. Guedes for 'Los Che' bagged a consolation after Courtois stooped his spot kick.

The whistle sounds at the Bernabeu and Madrid open an eight point lead at the top of LaLiga.

Three minutes of time to be added on.

Goal No. 301 for Benzema in a Real Madrid shirt.

Benzema off for Isco

Fine ball from Mendy as the ball nestles in the back of the Valencia net with the aid of the post.

Nacho comes on for Lucas Vazquez with Vini making way for Valverde.

Vallejo breaks and forces a fine save from Courtois.

Cheryshev carded for dangerous play

Another switch for Valencia as Vallejo comes on for Koindredi.... curious with the VCF player already coming on earlier !

Irzano on for Piccini

And now Wass goes inches of making it 3-2 with a right footed effort that zips by Courtois' post.

Penalty for Valencia as Mendy pulls Guedes in the box

Fifteen minutes remain at the Bernabéu and the pattern the game has taken is ideal for Carlo Ancelotti as the Italian coach turns his thoughts to the Super Cup next week with the semi-final vs. FC Barcelona next week.

Modric and Casemiro make way for Ceballos and Camavinga

Free for Madrid as Asensio shapes to shoot but the Mallorca born player drives the ball straight into the Valencia wall.

Dani Ceballos set to make an entrance

3 changes for Valencia: Cheryshev, Andre and Koindredi all come on with Maxi, Yusah and Costa make way

Changes imminent for Valencia

Courtois called into action and saves majestically as Wass almost finds the corner with a fine shot.

Goooooool. Vinicius nods into an empty net after Cillissen could only palm the Asensio shot into open space. Game over at the Bernabéu for Valencia.

Another card for Valencia as Musah clips Casemiro

Time for Bordalas to make some changes. The VCF team were designed to defend but the scoreline changes matters now for Valencia.

Piccini handles and sees his name added in the refs. notebook.

The goal will have offered a degree of calm for Real Madrid's interests with the onus now on Valencia to take the game to the home side. 

That tweet from the Spanish x Valencia Twitter account has got the social media platform in overdrive !!!

Off we go, second half starts in Madrid.

Valencia slam penalty decision

The official Valencia Twitter account took no prisoners with their view on the spot kick....."The robbery in Madrid begins to be somewhat repetitive"

Live LaLiga table

A win over Valencia would see 'Los Blancos' stretch their lead at the summit to eight points.

French forward Benzema celebrates his spot kick for Real Madrid.

The penalty will provoke plenty of debate but it's fair to say that Real Madrid offered a more offensive proposition in the half with Valencia certainly aiming to frustrate the side from the capital. As things stand, Ancelotti's men hold a 8 point lead over Sevilla at the top if LaLiga.

The whistle sounds and it's the Benzema spot kick that separates the sides.

The goal will at least prompt a different response from Valencia who now need to reset their game plan as an added minute of time will be played.

Great strike from the Frenchman but doubts exist about the validity of the penalty kick. As they say... referee's decisoon is final !

The French striker drills the ball into the roof of the net. Gooooooool.

Benzema to take and there will be no VAR intervention

I think VAR may need to take a look at this.....

Spot kick for Real Madrid as Casemiro is upended and the ref. points to the spot.

Five minutes of the half remain and the patter remains... Real Madrid knocking on the door as Modric rifles the ball off the cross bar. Unfortunelt for the Croatian, the ball bounces behind the line and back into open play.

Still no way through for Real Madrid and one senses that Jose Bordalas would be more than happy to walk away tonight from the Spanish capital with a 0-0 draw.

Benzema looks for space to shoot on the edge of the area but screws his effort wide of Cillissesn's post.

Do have my doubts about the veracity of that possession graphic...If anything, it should be the other way around with Madrid domination things in terms of possession.

Real Madrid turning up the heat ever so slightly as we move towards the 35 minute mark. Still nothing of danger for Courtois in the opening half an hour plus.

Modric feeds Asensio and the man from Mallorca forces Cillissen to save with his feet.

Ancelotti and Bordalas share a pre-match joke.

Real Madrid appeal for a yellow for Wass as the Danish international checks the run of Kroos. Casemiro is particularly incensed by the lack of a yellow !

Second card of the night goes to Militao as he clashes into Gaya.

Madrid continue to enjoy the bulk of possession with Valencia resorting to quick counters. Apart from the Militao headed effort, there's been little or nothing of goal-mouth incident.

Valencia do looked well drilled defensively, something one would expect from a Jose Bordalas side. We've seen little or nothing from Vinicius so far this evening as the fans start to lose patience with the Valencia keeper who is taking his time with goal kicks.

Casemiro has a pop from long range with the Brazilian failing to trouble Jasper Cillissen in the Valencia goal.

Casemiro carded for a late challenge on Wass

Madrid face Barcelona on Wednesday night in Riyadh with Athletic-Atletico facing off in the other semi-final on Thursday.

Madrid securing a foothold in the game now as we pass the ten minute mark. This will be Ancelotti's side last league action ahead of the Spanish Super Cup with 'Los Blancos' set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The traditional 'Illa Illa Illa Juanito maravilla" seven minute chant rings out from the home fans

Lucas fouled and danger for Valencia as Kross takes and Mlitao forces a fine stop from Cillissen as Valencia defend desperately to avert the danger.

Wass with the first effort of the night with the shot deflected for a corner as it's Valencia's turn to apply some pressure now.

Madrid dominating early pressure in a chilly Madrid night with a temperature of just 4 degrees C/ 40F.

Mr. Hernandez Hernandez sounds his whistle and we're underway.

The sides take to the pitch ... Real Madrid to play in their iconic all white kit and Valencia in their away red shirts, black shorts combo.

Between the reconstruction work which continues at the Bernabeu and the latest covid restrictions, we anticipate a crowd of 45,000-50,000 fans here tonight.

Last 5 meetings

Real Madrid have won 4 of the last five outings against 'Los Che' with Valencia recording a comprehensive 4-1 win back in November 2020. Draws in recent meetings have been something of a rareity.

Real Madrid players Casemiro, Vini Jr and Mendy warm up at the Bernabéu as kick-off looms

A reminder of the team news for those joining. Vinicius and Benzema lead the line for Real Madrid with Guedes and Maxi, Valencia's striking outlets.

Match official

Alejandro Hernández Hernández is tonight's match official and will be supported by Medié Jiménez in the VAR booth.

The FT whistle has just sounded and both Madrid and Valencia fans will enjoy see Barcelona slip up in Granada as Antonio Puertas bagged a last minute equalizer for the home side.

RMCF-VCF injuries

Both sides are missing key men with Gareth Bale, Jovic, Mariano and Carvajal all missing for 'Los Blancos. Bordalas must do without the injured Soler, Foulquier, Lato and Paulista.

Both sides come into tonight's game on the back of LaLiga defeats with Valencia falling 2-1 away to RCD Espanyol with Ancelotti's men slipping up at Getafe with a 1-0 defeat. There was some Copa del Rey midweek redemption as Madrid beat Alcoyano (1-3) and Valencia easing by Cartagena.

In the corresponding fixture last season at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.

Team news: Valencia XI

Team news: Real Madrid XI

Real Madrid will try to return to winning ways in LaLiga when they host Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu tonight.

Carlo Ancelotti's men are currently leading the league, five points clear of second-placed Sevilla, who have a game in hand, while Valencia are sitting ninth, with 28 points from 19 games in the tournament.

Los Blancos have recorded 14 wins, four draws, and two defeats to collect 46 points, although they lost their first match of 2022 against city neighbors Getafe 1-0.

The action kicks-off at 21:00 (local time) / 15:00 (ET)

Hello and welcome to our live LaLiga coverage as Real Madrid face Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu.