Real Madrid beat Valladolid 2-0

Real Madrid defeated Valladolid 2-0 on Friday to go top of La Liga, and Karim Benzema scored two late goals to bury his World Cup nightmare. Benzema, who was selected in the French squad for the World Cup in Qatar but was forced to withdraw before the tournament began because of a thigh injury in training, announced his retirement from international football after the tournament, where France finished runner-up to Argentina.

He was patient with his first goal, coming in the 83rd minute from a penalty awarded when Javi Sanchez was penalized for handball, but he finally got it in the sixth minute after an assist by French compatriot Eduardo Camavinga. Real went one point clear at the top after Benzema scored in the 83rd minute from a penalty awarded after Javi Sanchez was penalized for handball. Barcelona can reclaim pole position on Saturday when they face city rivals Espanyol. The win also moved Real up one point at the top.