Valencia 4-1 Real Madrid: Carlos Soler scores a penalty hat-trick

Carlos Soler scored three penalties when Valencia thrashed Real Madrid in an extraordinary La Liga game on Sunday.

Raphael Varane’s own goal made it 2-1 and Soler increased the lead from the penalty spot after Marcelo fouled Maxi Gómez.

Valencia was awarded another penalty when Sergio Ramos drove, and Soler completed his hat-trick.

The current champion, Real, sought to be one point behind Real Sociedad, leader of the Spanish top flight, before the international break.

But Zinedine Zidane’s men are still four points from the top after this tough defeat, although they do have a game ahead.

To add to his problems, Benzema was unable to finish the game after being injured.

There was no sign of what was going to happen when the French forward overtook the visitors with a scorching shot from outside the area.

Valencia tied via a double penalty thrown after Lucas Vázquez drove.

Thibaut Courtois saved Soler’s shot from the penalty spot and hit the post with the rebound. His teammate Yunus Musah then fumbled home, only to have the goal ruled out after an assistant referee (VAR) review on video showed him invading the area.

A replay was ordered and Soler made it 1-1.

The hosts, who only had one attempt on goal in the first half, went ahead before the break with a rare own goal by Varane, which sent the ball over his head and over the line, a goal conceded several minutes then after another VAR. review.

In an astonishing match, Valencia went on to score two more penalties: Soler, 23, became the third player in La Liga history to score three shots from the point in one game.