Karim Benzema's volley could well be La Liga's goal of the season and Marco Asensio's was his first touch in over a year as&nbsp;Real&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;stormed past Valencia 3-0 on Thursday.&nbsp;

Two brilliant strikes helped&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;to a convincing win at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, where Benzema continued his excellent form with a brace after putting his team in front thanks to another combination with Eden Hazard.&nbsp;

Valencia had been the better side in the first half when Rodrigo Moreno hit the post and then had a goal controversially ruled out after referee Jose Sanchez consulted VAR.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/barcelona-and-real-madrid-renew-close-run-title-race-304481">Barcelona and Real Madrid renew close-run title race</a>

Yet&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;found a different gear after the break to carve out an impressive victory that reduces their deficit to two points behind Barcelona, who play away at Sevilla on Friday.&nbsp;

Benzema's stunning second goal that saw him take the ball out of the air with one foot and then volley home with the other was a breathtaking moment that came shortly after a dramatic one for Asensio too.&nbsp;

Asensio has not played since June 10 last year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury but the 24-year-old announced his return in style, volleying in with his first touch, 31 seconds after coming on.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-real-madrid-resume-its-title-bid-after-3-1-win-over-eibar-305919">La Liga: Real Madrid resume its title bid after 3-1 win over Eibar</a>

"It's been many months of hard work and I'm very happy to play again and to score," he said afterwards.&nbsp;

"I feel a lot of emotion, satisfaction. A lot of work has gone into this."&nbsp;

"It means a lot to him," said coach Zinedine Zidane. "We're just happy to see him on the pitch again."

But with nine games to go in the title race, Benzema appears key, particularly as his partnership with the resurgent Hazard continues to flourish.

After a strong start,&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;faded and Valencia came on strong. They hit the post when Maxi Rodriguez's pass sent Rodrigo clear, his shot was diverted by the fingertips of Thibaut Courtois.

Valencia then thought they had scored as Carlos Soler's pass to the back post beat both Maxi and his marker Raphael Varane to find Rodrigo, who tapped in.&nbsp;

But VAR persuaded Sanchez that Maxi's heel was offside and also that the ball had feathered his foot on its way through. Rodrigo opened the palms of his hands in disbelief.&nbsp;

Benzema tried to nod down for Hazard when he would have been better going for goal but&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;had lost their purpose and were grateful for half-time.

They were better in the second half, with more control. Kevin Gameiro came on for Valencia and his first touch was a costly one, a loose pass to Hazard setting&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;away.&nbsp;

Hazard played a one-two with Luka Modric and pushed the ball across for Benzema to finish.

Asensio came on in the 74th minute after a hug and a smile with Zidane. His first touch was a glorious one as Ferland Mendy beat Daniel Wass to the line and chipped a pass back to his teammate, who punched a superb volley into the net with his left foot.&nbsp;

An incredible moment could only be surpassed by something special, which Benzema delivered. Asensio crossed and Benzema lifted the ball in the air over Hugo Gillamon with his right foot and then with his left, banged it into the top corner.&nbsp;

Valencia were dead and buried and Lee Kang-In was sent off after three frustrated hacks on Sergio Ramos. He departed with one minute left.

Karim Benzema's volley could well be La Liga's goal of the season and Marco Asensio's was his first touch in over a year as Real Madrid stormed past Valencia 3-0 on Thursday.

Karim Benzema's volley could well be La Liga's goal of the season and Marco Asensio's was his first touch in over a year as Real Madrid stormed past Valencia 3-0 on Thursday. Two brilliant strikes helped Madrid to a convincing win at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, where Benzema continued his excellent form with a brace after putting his team in front thanks to another combination with Eden Hazard. Valencia had been the better side in the first half when Rodrigo Moreno hit the post and then had a goal controversially ruled out after referee Jose Sanchez consulted VAR. Also read: Barcelona and Real Madrid renew close-run title race Yet Madrid found a different gear after the break to carve out an impressive victory that reduces their deficit to two points behind Barcelona, who play away at Sevilla on Friday. Benzema's stunning second goal that saw him take the ball out of the air with one foot and then volley home with the other was a breathtaking moment that came shortly after a dramatic one for Asensio too. Asensio has not played since June 10 last year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury but the 24-year-old announced his return in style, volleying in with his first touch, 31 seconds after coming on. Also read: La Liga: Real Madrid resume its title bid after 3-1 win over Eibar "It's been many months of hard work and I'm very happy to play again and to score," he said afterwards. "I feel a lot of emotion, satisfaction. A lot of work has gone into this." "It means a lot to him," said coach Zinedine Zidane. "We're just happy to see him on the pitch again." But with nine games to go in the title race, Benzema appears key, particularly as his partnership with the resurgent Hazard continues to flourish. After a strong start, Madrid faded and Valencia came on strong. They hit the post when Maxi Rodriguez's pass sent Rodrigo clear, his shot was diverted by the fingertips of Thibaut Courtois. Valencia then thought they had scored as Carlos Soler's pass to the back post beat both Maxi and his marker Raphael Varane to find Rodrigo, who tapped in. But VAR persuaded Sanchez that Maxi's heel was offside and also that the ball had feathered his foot on its way through. Rodrigo opened the palms of his hands in disbelief. Benzema tried to nod down for Hazard when he would have been better going for goal but Madrid had lost their purpose and were grateful for half-time. They were better in the second half, with more control. Kevin Gameiro came on for Valencia and his first touch was a costly one, a loose pass to Hazard setting Madrid away. Hazard played a one-two with Luka Modric and pushed the ball across for Benzema to finish. Asensio came on in the 74th minute after a hug and a smile with Zidane. His first touch was a glorious one as Ferland Mendy beat Daniel Wass to the line and chipped a pass back to his teammate, who punched a superb volley into the net with his left foot. An incredible moment could only be surpassed by something special, which Benzema delivered. Asensio crossed and Benzema lifted the ball in the air over Hugo Gillamon with his right foot and then with his left, banged it into the top corner. Valencia were dead and buried and Lee Kang-In was sent off after three frustrated hacks on Sergio Ramos. He departed with one minute left.

Benzema and Asensio volleys fire Madrid to Valencia victory

Real Madrid forwards Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale both returned to full training on Friday after injury layoffs, handing the European champions a boost in attack three weeks before their Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam.

Spain international Asensio has been out for over a month with a thigh injury sustained during Madrid's Club World Cup campaign, while their record signing Bale has been sidelined since a 2-2 draw at Villarreal in early January with a calf problem.

Despite their pedigree, Asensio and Bale both face a daunting task in attempting to win a place back in the team ahead of Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr, who has spearheaded Madrid's return to form in an otherwise disappointing season.

Santiago Solari's side lie third in La Liga, 10 points behind leaders Barcelona, but earned a fourth win in five games in all competitions by beating Girona 4-2 in a Copa del Rey quarter-final, first leg on Thursday.

That win followed a therapeutic 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the league in their previous outing.

"We are playing well, at the start of the year we had two slip ups which didn't help us at all, but now we are feeling good again and believe we can achieve great things," said Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez on Friday at a promotional event.

"The best way to fight for the Copa del Rey and the Champions League is to do well in the league. We are on a good run now and the way we played in the last two games is the way we want to go."

Real Madrid forwards Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale both returned to full training on Friday after injury layoffs, handing the European champions a boost in attack three weeks before their Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam.

Real Madrid forwards Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale both returned to full training on Friday after injury layoffs, handing the European champions a boost in attack three weeks before their Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam. Spain international Asensio has been out for over a month with a thigh injury sustained during Madrid's Club World Cup campaign, while their record signing Bale has been sidelined since a 2-2 draw at Villarreal in early January with a calf problem. Despite their pedigree, Asensio and Bale both face a daunting task in attempting to win a place back in the team ahead of Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr, who has spearheaded Madrid's return to form in an otherwise disappointing season. Santiago Solari's side lie third in La Liga, 10 points behind leaders Barcelona, but earned a fourth win in five games in all competitions by beating Girona 4-2 in a Copa del Rey quarter-final, first leg on Thursday. That win followed a therapeutic 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the league in their previous outing. "We are playing well, at the start of the year we had two slip ups which didn't help us at all, but now we are feeling good again and believe we can achieve great things," said Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez on Friday at a promotional event. "The best way to fight for the Copa del Rey and the Champions League is to do well in the league. We are on a good run now and the way we played in the last two games is the way we want to go."

Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale boost Madrid after injury layoffs

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