Cristiano Ronaldo penalty brace helps Real Madrid cruise past Valencia

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace of penalties as Real Madrid saw off Valencia with an impressive 4-1 win at the Mestalla, easing the pressure on Zinedine Zidane.

The Spanish and European champions came into the game on the back of a humiliating Copa del Rey exit to Leganes during the week, prompting reports that Zidane could be on thin ice as Real manager.

But this was a result and a performance to quell the critics, with Ronaldo giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break after converting two penalty kicks, both awarded for clumsy fouls by former Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya.

Santi Mina clawed one back in the second half as Valencia made a fight of the game, but goals from Marcelo and a late strike by Toni Kroos saw Real Madrid leave with all three points, moving Zidane’s side to within two points of third place in the Liga table.

Did Marcelino get his tactics wrong? This was an opportunity for Valencia to underline their credentials as title challengers, but manager Marcelino got his approach wrong from the start. The hosts simply allowed Real Madrid far too much time and space in the first half to play their natural game, with Marcelino also waiting too long to make changes to his side in the second half. There were signs of a challenge from Valencia at points, but they will rue this missed chance.

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid): The key to this impressive win for Real Madrid was their strength in the centre of midfield. Kroos and Luka Modric were the best players on the pitch, with the former in particular pulling the strings for the visitors to the Mestalla. The German midfielder added his name to the score sheet late on, but by that time he had already manipulated three points out of Valencia.

Valencia: Neto 6, Montoya 3, Coquelin 6, Garay 5, Lato 5, Guedes 6, Parejo 6, Kondogbia 8, Gaya 6, Mina 6, Rodrigo 6. Subs: Pereira 5, Zaza 5, Soler 6.

Real Madrid: Navas 7, Carvajal 6, Varane 6, Nacho 5, Marcelo 7, Casemiro 6, Kroos 8, Modric 8, Benzema 5, Bale 7, Ronaldo 7. Subs: Vazquez 5, Asensio 6, Kovacic 6.

15’ - PENALTY TO REAL MADRID! Ronaldo goes down inside the box after a rapid counter attack and the referee points to the spot. It was Montoya with the foul.

16’ - GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid. That's a hugely important goal for Real Madrid! Ronaldo steps up to the 12-yard mark and sends Neto the wrong way. The away side have a significant early lead at the Mestalla.

36’ - ANOTHER PENALTY! Benzema goes down inside the box and the referee points to the spot again. What was Montoya doing?

37’ - GOAL! Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid. Real Madrid have doubled their advantage? This time, Ronaldo opts to slam home the finish in the opposite direction, just about beating Neto with the sheer power of the effort.

59’ - GOAL! Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid. The hosts are back in this game! Mina drifted into the penalty area from a corner kick, ghosting between two defenders to stoop and head past Navas. That was a real lapse from the away side!

68’ - BIG SAVE FROM NAVAS! Valencia opened up the Real Madrid defence, with Parejo taking aim from 12 yards out. But Navas keeper sticks out a foot to make the save. What a stop that was!

84’ - GOAL! Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid. That's the goal that will surely secure the points for Real Madrid! It's Marcelo who has grabbed the goal, firing through Neto at the near post. The goalkeeper should have done better there.

90’ - GOAL! Valencia 1-4 Real Madrid. My word! What an exceptional finish from Kroos. In trademark style, the German midfielder passes the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area. He's done that a few times before.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 20 or more goals in each of his nine seasons for Real Madrid (in all competitions).

Valencia have won just two of their last 18 games against Real Madrid in La Liga.