VALENCIA: Real Madrid kept their La Liga title challenge firmly on track with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday, cutting the gap to leaders Barcelona to just one point.
After Barcelona’s narrow success against Mallorca a day earlier, Madrid knew nothing less than victory would suffice. Despite missing key figures, Los Blancos showed resilience and maturity to secure three vital points on a demanding away trip.
Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa was forced to reshuffle his lineup due to the suspension of Vinicius Junior and the injury absence of Jude Bellingham. The visitors lacked their usual attacking fluency but compensated with discipline and defensive control in a tense contest.
Real Madrid created the clearer openings in the first half without fully dominating proceedings. Arda Güler saw a deflected effort drift just wide, while Kylian Mbappe tested Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski with a powerful strike that was expertly blocked. Young right-back David Jiménez, a product of Madrid’s academy, also went close after being set up by Mbappe, only for Dimitrievski to deny him again.
Valencia remained competitive and threatened on the counter, keeping the match finely balanced heading into the second half.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the second period when Álvaro Carreras produced a moment of individual brilliance. Cutting inside from the left, the defender surprised the home crowd by calmly guiding a right-footed finish inside the near post to give Madrid the lead.
Valencia nearly responded immediately as Lucas Beltrán stretched to meet a loose ball, beating Thibaut Courtois but striking the post in what proved to be their best chance of the night.
Arbeloa introduced Trent Alexander-Arnold late on, marking the England international’s return after a lengthy thigh injury, as Madrid sought to protect their advantage.
The visitors sealed the result deep into stoppage time when Brahim Díaz unselfishly set up Mbappe, who finished with trademark composure for his 23rd league goal of the season, extending his lead in the scoring charts.
Valencia’s frustration was evident both on and off the pitch, with sections of the home support waving white handkerchiefs in protest. Los Che remain 17th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone, while Real Madrid march on in a gripping title race.
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