La Liga: Vinicius saves Real Madrid blushes in 2-0 win over Valladolid

Brazilian sensation Vinicius Jr. shone as Real Madrid’s lengthy run of five league games without a win finally came to an end with the 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid. It was also interim head coach Santiago Solari’s tasting victory in his first home game on Saturday.

Coming on as a substitute in the 73^rd minute, the 18-year-old, just 10 minutes later, cut in from the left before firing a shot, which was deflected into the net by Kike Olivas of Valladolid sending the Santiago Bernabeu crowd into delirium.

Until then Real looked more likely to concede and were fortunate not to go behind twice when Ruben Alcaraz and Toni Villa struck the upright before the home side sealed the victory with a Sergio Ramos penalty in the 88^th minute.

The victory helped Los Blancos climb to sixth with 17 points from 11 matches, while Valladolid stay on eighth with a point-less from the same number of matches.

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The European Champions, back after a humiliating 1-5 defeat to Barcelona in the El Clasico, had a good start creating some chances but failed to capitalise and were booed off at halftime.

Gareth Bale was a prime target and the Welshman once again disappointed failing to score from two good opportunities. He was eventually substituted in the 71^st minute to a wide range of boos from the home crowd.

Two minutes later Vinicius was introduced and the Brazilian, who was hardly used under previous coach Julen Lopetegui, made an instant impact. His introduction also injected the much-needed pace in the game and soon Real had broken the deadlock when Olivas, unfortunately, deflected the substitute’s shot into his own net.

The goal killed the life of a spirited Valladolid side, who were until this match unbeaten in six consecutive league games. They conceded another five minutes later after Nacho fouled Real striker Karim Benzema inside the box and skipper Ramos fired the resultant penalty home.