Federico Valverde‘s golden streak continued as he scored his fourth goal in nine days during a starring role in Real Madrid‘s 4-1 win over Elche which reduced Barcelona‘s lead at the top of LaLiga to a point.
The Uruguay international, who scored just twice in his first 39 appearances for club and country this season, has found his best form at the ideal time.
Fresh from a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City in midweek the 27-year-old midfielder was the orchestrator of a victory secured in the final six minutes of the first half.
First his powerful free-kick was spilled by Matías Dituro and Federico Redondo could only head the loose ball as far as the penalty spot where Antonio Rüdiger lashed home a volley.
But better was to come a minute before the interval. Having launched the attack with a driving run through the middle Valverde exchanged passes with left-back Fran García.
When the pass was returned to him on the edge of the penalty area Valverde faked to hit a shot with his left foot before shifting the ball onto his right foot and firing past Dituro.
But while his contribution may have set up the victory, the goal of the night went to Arda Güler, who lobbed the goalkeeper from 10 yards inside his own half in the 89th minute.
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