Real Madrid dominated Valencia, thanks to Asensio and Vinicius

• Asensio and Vinicius score twice as Real Madrid defeat Valencia 2-0.
• The result moves them up to second place in La Liga.
• Gabriel Paulista of Valencia was dismissed from game with a straight red card.

Real Madrid dominated Valencia 2-0 on Thursday, scoring goals in the second half from Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior to get their La Liga season back on track.

The defending champions increased their point total to 45, moving them up to second place and five points behind Barcelona, who defeated Real Betis on Wednesday.

Valencia, who fired manager Gennaro Gattuso the day before, suffered their fifth straight loss Friday night. With 20 points, Valencia is 14th in the standings and one place above the relegation zone.

Gabriel Paulista of Valencia was dismissed from the game with a straight red card 18 minutes from the end after he brutally tackled Vinicius and nearly started a fight on the field.

Real had the majority of the game under control, but they missed a couple chances in the opening period. Just before halftime, Antonio Rudiger scored, but VAR disallowed it because Benzema fouled the player in the buildup.

After the break, Real came out fighting and scored two goals in two minutes: Asensio’s superb curling drive into the top corner after 52 minutes, then Vinicius’ close-range smash to cap off a quick counterattack.

On Sunday, Real Madrid will play Mallorca.

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