Real Madrid cruise past Valencia

Real Madrid have brushed aside Valencia 5-0 in this evening's La Liga meeting at the Mestalla.

The visitors scored all five of their goals in the opening half to earn only their fifth away win of the season.

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The visitors got themselves in front in the eighth minute as Gonzalo Higuain linked well with Cristiano Ronaldo to finish off a quick counter-attack.

Madrid doubled their advantage on 34 minutes when an incisive passing move ended with Angel Di Maria tapping in.

© AP Photos

It was 3-0 just two minutes later through Ronaldo's low drive before the Portuguese made it 4-0 with just 41 minutes on the clock thanks to his composed finish.

The game was put to bed on the stroke of half time as Di Maria calmly slotted the ball in from Mesut Ozil's clever pass.

Following a glut of goals in the first half, the closest that either side came to scoring in the second was when Valencia winger Pablo Piatti struck the crossbar with his powerful strike in the 50th minute.