Real Madrid secured a 3‑0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappé scoring the decisive goal to bring the Spanish giants level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Federico Valverde and Arda Gülér opened the scoring in the first half, with Valverde’s long‑range strike and Gülér’s deflected header giving Madrid a 2‑0 advantage. Mbappé added the third in the second half, completing a hat‑trick for the club’s new signing.
Valencia were reduced to ten men for most of the match, and the absence of winger Vinicius Junior did not hinder Madrid’s dominance. The team’s performance has intensified pressure on Barcelona, who were beaten in the Camp Nou Clasico on 25 October.
In the ninth minute, play was halted to honour Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who had died on Tuesday. Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save against Aaron Mayol, and a Valencia goal by Guido Rodríguez was ruled offside before the hosts took control.
After a close‑called goal, Gülér doubled the lead from a cross by Jude Bellingham, and later in the second half he had a chance for a third that was thwarted by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Mbappé’s late overhead kick was denied, but he eventually found the net after a dangerous pass from Gülér, his 13th league goal and 17th in all competitions.
Valencia’s José Gaya was sent off with roughly ten minutes remaining for a sliding foul on Mbappé. Meanwhile, Espanyol’s new coach Eder Sarabia’s side drew 0‑0 with Deportivo La Coruna, Osasuna earned a 1‑1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, and Racing Santander beat Málaga 2‑1 after a comeback.
Barcelona, who now sit atop the table, will face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a match that could see them move clear of the chasing pack.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
