Karim Benzema scored three goals in seven first-half minutes as Real Madrid thrashed Valladolid 6-0 on Sunday to cut Barcelona's lead in La Liga to 12 points.

The hat-trick moved Benzema up to 14 league goals this season and second on the list of top scorers — three behind Barca's Robert Lewandowski.

Rodrygo's opener from a smooth counter-attack after 22 minutes opened the flood gates as Benzema took charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, netting a first half hat-trick for Real Madrid for the first time in his career.

Benzema scored his first with a diving header from a Vinicius Jr cross while narrowly avoiding a collision with the far post and the Brazilian also created the second with a simple pass for the French striker to score from the edge of the box.

The 35-year-old completed his hat-trick when he adjusted his run into the six-yard box to turn on the spot and scoop a Rodrygo cross that was behind him to score while his back was towards the goal.

Lewandowski strikes

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona won 4-0 at Elche on Saturday.

Lewandowski got back on goal trail after three goalless games, opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a close-range finish after Ronald Araujo headed the ball down to him in front of the goal.

Ansu Fati doubled the lead in the 55th minute after picking up a Ferran Torres pass in his own half and breaking forward towards the edge of the box before firing low into the far corner to score in the league for the first time since October.

Barcelona's trademark high pressing paid off in the 65th minute when Gavi stole the ball off the Elche defence to set up Lewandowski in the box, who had no trouble scoring his second of the night and 17th league goal of the season.

Torres got on the scoresheet in the 70th minute, slotting his shot into the left corner for his third league goal of the campaign.