KEY POINTS
- Real Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 in a La Liga match to stay within one point of Barcelona atop the table.
- Álvaro Carreras scored mid-second half before Kylian Mbappé sealed the win late.
- Madrid overcame absences of key stars and relied on young players to secure vital points.
Real Madrid secured a vital 2-0 victory at Valencia as the La Liga title race continues to tighten. The win keeps them just a point behind league leaders Barcelona with the season approaching its final stretch.
Valencia hosted the match at Mestalla as Real Madrid aimed to apply pressure on Barcelona’s position. The first half saw limited clear chances despite Madrid dominating possession. Valencia’s defence and goalkeeper kept the score level heading into halftime.
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Álvaro Carreras found space inside the penalty area. His effort ricocheted through defenders and into the net, giving Madrid the advantage.
From that point, Real Madrid held control but continued to struggle to craft high-quality opportunities. Valencia defended deep and rarely threatened on the counterattack. Their goalkeeper was tested sparingly throughout the second half.
In stoppage time, Kylian Mbappé sealed the result with a close-range finish following a swift counterattack. The goal marked his 23rd of the league season, extending his lead among La Liga’s top scorers.
Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa had to adapt his lineup due to absences of key players through suspension and injury. Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Eder Militao were unavailable, forcing him to turn to academy talents.
Young players including Raul Asensio, David Jiménez and Gonzalo Garcia started in the absence of established stars. Their contributions helped maintain balance across the pitch, particularly in midfield and defense.
Despite the makeshift lineup, Real Madrid’s experienced core guided the team through an underwhelming performance. Defensively, the visitors remained organised and limited Valencia’s opportunities.
Valencia’s fans grew frustrated as their side failed to respond after falling behind. The home team struggled to create meaningful attacks and ended the game without a goal.
The narrow win boosts Real Madrid’s confidence as they chase Barcelona and aim to capture their 36th La Liga title. The pressure on the league leaders will continue to build with every matchday.
Barcelona had earlier extended their lead with a 3-0 victory against Mallorca, making Real Madrid’s win crucial in keeping the title race alive.
Valencia remain perilously close to the relegation zone, positioned 17th with limited points to their name this season. Their struggles on offence and in defense underline their ongoing fight to avoid demotion.
Real Madrid will look to carry this result’s momentum into their next fixtures. Continued resilience and contributions from emerging players could prove vital in their title push.
