Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe celebrating his goal
Real Madrid showed their championship resolve with a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Valencia on Sunday, trimming Barcelona’s lead at the summit of La Liga and sending a clear message that the title race is far from over.
It wasn’t the most fluid or flashy performance from Madrid, but it was the kind of gritty result that keeps title hopes alive.
Valencia made life difficult for the visitors for long stretches at Mestalla.
Madrid dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half, with both sides cautious and unwilling to take unnecessary risks.
The breakthrough finally came in the 65th minute when Álvaro Carreras capitalized on a well-coordinated team move, slotting the ball home and giving Madrid a crucial lead.
The relief was palpable on the Madrid bench.
Valencia pushed forward in search of an equalizer, leaving gaps at the back—an error Madrid would punish. In the first minute of stoppage time (90+1), Kylian Mbappé calmly converted a chance to seal the win, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback from the hosts.
The result keeps Real Madrid within striking distance of Barcelona, with the La Liga title race increasingly resembling a two-horse battle—much like the Premier League duel between Manchester City and Arsenal. Every match, every point, and every slip-up matters now.
For Madrid, Sunday’s win wasn’t about style—it was about staying in contention. Mission accomplished.
