Lukaku double fires Inter to big win, Real Madrid past Valladolid
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Inter Milan's Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku (L) celebrates during the Serie A match against Benevento in Benevento, Italy, September 30, 2020. /CFP

Inter Milan's Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku (L) celebrates during the Serie A match against Benevento in Benevento, Italy, September 30, 2020. /CFP

Two goals from Romelu Lukaku helped Inter Milan to a 5-2 victory at promoted Benevento on Wednesday as the Serie A title contenders notched their second win in a row.

The Belgian striker fired the visitors in front after 28 seconds, and Inter soon raced away as a Roberto Gagliardini strike and Lukaku's second put them three up before the half-hour mark.

Benevento pulled one back through Gianluca Caprari, but Achraf Hakimi's first goal for Inter since his move from Real Madrid restored their three-goal cushion before halftime.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez scored with a neat finish after the break before Caprari notched his second to earn Pippo Inzaghi's side a consolation. 

Inter are one of four Serie A teams to have picked up maximum points from their opening two games, along with Napoli, Hellas Verona and AC Milan. 

Benevento are on three points, thanks to their opening day comeback victory over Sampdoria.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates during the La Liga match against Real Valladolid in Madrid, Spain, September 30, 2020. /CFP

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates during the La Liga match against Real Valladolid in Madrid, Spain, September 30, 2020. /CFP

Real Madrid missed the creativity of the injured Eden Hazard as only a fortuitous goal from substitute Vinicius Junior earned them a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Wednesday.

Vinicius capitalized on some chaotic defending in the Valladolid penalty area after coming on for Luka Jovic, Madrid's misfiring striker who was committed but ultimately fruitless again in front of goal.

Jovic could yet be allowed to leave before the end of the transfer window on Monday, and he must have looked on enviously as a simple chance fell to Vinicius to give Madrid their second win of the season.

But the lack of goals only served to highlight the absence of Hazard, who had been due to make his first appearance of the season only to pull out of the squad earlier on Wednesday with a muscle injury in his right leg. 

Hazard sat out Madrid's opening two games, with Zinedine Zidane adamant the Belgium midfielder needed to be fully fit and completely pain free from the troublesome ankle problem he struggled with last term. 

With Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez gone, the attacking onus will fall on the likes of Vinicius, even if Zidane preferred to start with the Brazilian on the bench and give Jovic another chance to impress alongside Karim Benzema. 

Jovic, who has scored only two goals since joining from Frankfurt for €60 million in July 2019, could not be faulted for a lack of effort and was arguably Madrid's busiest attacking player in the first half. 

But two good chances went begging, and Zidane finally brought on Vinicius just before the hour. 

Seven points from nine continue a solid start for the reigning champions, with Barcelona due to play away at Celta Vigo on Thursday. 

Earlier, Atletico Madrid followed up their 6-1 thrashing of Granada on Saturday with a much less spectacular goalless draw away at Huesca. 

Valladolid are still without a victory after four games, having only managed draws at home to Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo. 

(With input from agencies)