Real Madrid kept pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona after securing a 2-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday, with second-half goals from Álvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé deciding a largely subdued encounter at Mestalla.
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Despite dominating possession, Madrid struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the match, rarely testing Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The breakthrough finally came in the 65th minute when Carreras found the net, before Mbappé sealed the result in stoppage time.
Barcelona remain top of the table with 58 points, just one ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on 57. Valencia, meanwhile, sit 17th, only a point clear of the relegation zone.
Mbappé was Madrid’s most consistent attacking threat, making occasional surging runs down the left, but openings were limited for an otherwise lacklustre attacking display.
Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa was forced to reshuffle his side due to the suspension of Vinícius Jr and injuries to Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Éder Militão. The absences handed starting opportunities to academy graduates Raúl Asensio, David Jiménez and Gonzalo García, with Mbappé providing the main spark.
“Playing at Valencia is always like going to the dentist,” Arbeloa said after the match. “We knew how difficult and demanding it would be. It was a very serious and committed performance. I’m happy.”
Arbeloa also praised Mbappé, calling him the best player in the world at present, and suggested the French forward has the potential to live up to the legacy of his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Real Madrid.
Valencia supporters, some of whom waved white handkerchiefs in protest against the club’s situation, began leaving early as Los Che remain precariously placed just above the relegation zone.
Earlier in the day, Atlético Madrid’s title hopes took another blow with a 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis. Antony scored in the 28th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box to earn Manuel Pellegrini’s side a crucial victory.
Atlético are now a distant third on 45 points, three ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal, who have two games in hand. Betis sit fifth on 38 points.
In other La Liga action, Athletic Bilbao beat Levante 4-2, Sevilla and Girona played out a 1-1 draw, and Getafe claimed a 2-0 away win over Deportivo Alavés.
