Asensio says he’s delighted to be back for Real Madrid and hails Benzema.

Asensio scored with his first touch a few seconds after coming off the bench and Karim Benzema registered a brace as Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 victory over Valencia. 

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring Valencia [Getty]

It was Asensio’s first competitive club outing since May last year. 

Spain international Marco Asensio expressed his delight at his performance after Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 on Thursday evening.

Asensio marked his comeback from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by hitting the net a few seconds after coming off the bench in the 74th minute, 13 minutes after Karim Benzema broke the deadlock.

And, it was Asensio who set up the third goal for the French star Benzema to seal three points at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Following the victory, the 24-year-old was happy to return to action after being on the sidelines for nearly 13 months.

"I really wanted to return. It has been many months of hard work," the midfielder told Movistar.

"I am very happy to play, to score, and for the team's victory."

Benzema's brilliant volley in the 86th minute means he is now Madrid's fifth all-time top goalscorer with 243, surpassing Ferenc Puskas (242), and Asensio lavished praise on the Los Blancos striker.

Asensio added: "A lot of excitement and satisfaction, because there is a lot of work behind this. I am in the final stretch of the season.

"It was a great goal. He has made a great control and in general, we have made a great match.

"We have nine finals left that we have to win.

"We are now focusing on the Real Sociedad match [on Sunday], which is the objective we have in mind."

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