Real Madrid returned to LaLiga winning ways with a 5-1 thrashing of Valencia, keeping pace with leaders Girona.

Madrid had lost points at home to Rayo Vallecano the previous weekend, but Girona’s win over the same opponent earlier in the day on Saturday briefly opened up a five-point gap at the top.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team answered admirably, with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo each scoring twice in a comfortable win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

While Real Madrid had secured their position in the Champions League last 16 with a midweek triumph over Braga, Jude Bellingham had added to the club’s increasing list of reasons to doubt his England participation next week.

Dani Carvajal, the captain of Real Madrid, swiftly banished any residual sadness with a magnificent opening in the third minute.

Toni Kroos found Carvajal with an inch-perfect crossfield pass, which the right-back controlled before slamming home on the half-volley from 22 yards with his weaker foot.

Ancelotti’s team was in a good mood now, and Kroos hit the crossbar soon after, before Valencia settled, but they were caught off guard just before halftime.

In the 42nd minute, Rodrygo was freed down the right, and his vicious throw found Vinicius Jr, who finished with an unusual chest of the ball into the ground and beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili.

If Valencia had anticipated that the break would disrupt Madrid’s momentum, it failed horribly, with a third goal four minutes after the break.

Rodrygo fizzed the ball to Vinicius Jr, who cut inside and hammered an effort into the bottom corner of the goal.

Within 60 seconds, Mamardashvili’s night had taken a turn for the worst as his attempted pass out from the back was intercepted by Rodrygo, who slotted into the corner before mimicking Cristian Ronaldo’s siu celebration.

Vinicius Jr was denied a hat-trick shortly after the hour mark when his chipped effort was blocked, and he was replaced with 82 minutes remaining.

The goal frenzy did not end there, as Rodrygo was able to take over and score his second of the evening.

In the 84th minute, Madrid replacement Fran Garcia found Rodrygo, who twisted and turned inside the penalty area before firing the ball into the far corner.

Valencia had the ultimate say when Hugo Gonzalez went to the right byline and crossed in for Hugo Duro to hook home on the bend, but it was not enough to derail Madrid’s five-star performance.

Ancelotti’s title contenders are two points behind Girona heading into the international break, with a trip to Cadiz coming up in a fortnight.