Valencia vs Real Madrid saw Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler deliver a convincing victory for the visitors at the Mestalla, moving them level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid controlled much of the contest, scored three times and capitalized on Valencia’s defensive weaknesses before Jose Gaya’s late dismissal made an already difficult evening even worse for the hosts.

Valverde opened the scoring with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area before Guler doubled the advantage eight minutes later. Mbappe then completed the scoring in the 75th minute, taking his league tally to 13 goals this season and continuing his remarkable start to the campaign.

The result was Real Madrid‘sfourth consecutive league victory, while Valencia remained in the relegation zone after another disappointing performance.

Valencia vs Real Madrid: Valverde and Guler put Madrid in control

Real Madrid began the match with the confidence of a team chasing the top position in the league, although Valencia initially attempted to make life difficult for their visitors. The hosts needed a positive result to improve their position near the bottom of the table, but their defensive organisation eventually proved insufficient against Madrid’s attacking quality.

The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute through Valverde. After Mbappe’s free-kick struck the defensive wall, the ball fell kindly for the Real Madrid captain, who produced a crisp, low drive from approximately 20 yards to beat the goalkeeper.

It was an excellent finish from Valverde and gave the visitors the advantage their early pressure had been threatening to produce.

Madrid did not have to wait long for a second goal. Eight minutes after opening the scoring, they doubled their lead through Guler, who finished from close range following an attacking move involving Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham’s cutback was deflected into Guler’s path, leaving the Turkish midfielder with an opportunity from six yards. He made no mistake, volleying the ball into the net to give Madrid a comfortable two-goal advantage before half-time.

The goal was Guler’s third in La Liga this season and another demonstration of the attacking contribution he continues to provide.

Mbappe adds another goal as Madrid complete the job

Valencia needed a strong response after the interval, but Madrid remained in control and showed little indication that they were prepared to surrender their advantage.

The visitors continued to create opportunities, with Mbappe remaining a constant threat to the Valencia defence. His pace and movement made it difficult for the hosts to maintain their defensive shape, particularly when Madrid found space to attack.

The decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute. Guler turned provider, finding Mbappe with a well-timed pass that allowed the French forward to run through on goal. Mbappe rounded the goalkeeper before calmly finishing to make it 3-0.

The goal was his 13th in La Liga this season, further strengthening his position as one of the division’s leading scorers. It also effectively ended any possibility of a Valencia comeback.

Madrid’s attacking performance was built around contributions from several players rather than relying exclusively on their leading forward. Valverde provided the breakthrough, Guler scored and assisted, while Bellingham played an important role in the move that produced the second goal.

Gaya dismissal compounds Valencia’s difficult evening

Valencia’s problems increased in the closing stages when captain Jose Gaya received a red card for a challenge on Mbappe.

The French striker was preparing to break clear towards goal when Gaya brought him down with a heavy challenge. The referee showed the Valencia captain a straight red card, leaving the hosts to finish the match with 10 players.

It was a disappointing conclusion to an evening in which Valencia had struggled to contain Madrid’s attacking threats. Their defensive difficulties had already put the result beyond reach, and losing their captain only added to the frustration.

The defeat leaves Valencia 19th in the La Liga table, one point away from safety. They have now suffered seven league defeats from their opening 12 matches, placing increasing pressure on their ability to move away from the relegation places.

For a club with Valencia’s history and expectations, their current position represents a difficult situation that requires an immediate improvement in results.

Real Madrid close in on Barcelona at the top

The victory extended Madrid’s winning run in the league to four matches and moved them level on points with Barcelona. Only goal difference separates the two sides at the top, although Barcelona have the opportunity to restore their three-point advantage when they face third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Madrid will nevertheless be encouraged by the manner of their performance. They controlled the match, converted their opportunities and kept Valencia from producing a meaningful response after the opening two goals.

Their wider winning form has also prompted discussion about the possibility of extending their run to eight wins in a row across competitions, although the supplied match report specifically confirms four consecutive league victories.

There was also a solemn moment before the match resumed after nine minutes, when players and supporters observed a minute’s applause in tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match.

It provided a moment of reflection during an otherwise competitive evening.

For Real Madrid, attention now turns to maintaining pressure on Barcelona and building on their latest victory. With Valverde, Guler and Mbappe all finding the net, the visitors demonstrated the attacking depth that could prove important in the title race.

Valencia, meanwhile, must find a way to turn their performances into points before their position becomes even more difficult to recover from.