Valencia 0-3 Real Madrid: Valverde, Guler & Mbappe fire Madrid level with Barcelona

Real Madrid produced a controlled, clinical performance to sweep aside struggling Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla, extending their winning run to eight games and moving level on points with leaders Barcelona.

Federico Valverde’s powerful strike, Arda Güler’s neat finish and a typically sharp Kylian Mbappé goal sealed a comfortable victory for José Mourinho’s side. Valencia’s misery was compounded by a late red card for captain José Gayà.

Madrid dominated possession and territory from the outset against a Valencia side sitting near the foot of the table under Javier Aguirre. The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute. Mbappé’s free-kick struck the wall and the rebound fell kindly for Valverde, who drove a low, right-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Eight minutes later the visitors doubled their lead. Jude Bellingham drove to the byline on the left and his cut-back eventually found Güler, who finished calmly from close range. The Turkish midfielder, preferred in place of the suspended Vinícius Júnior, was influential throughout.

Valencia offered little in response. Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski made several important saves, notably denying Mbappé and Güler on the break, but the home side created almost nothing of note. Madrid remained patient after the interval, controlling the tempo and waiting for openings.

The third goal arrived on 75 minutes. Güler recovered possession, turned sharply and threaded a precise pass into Mbappé’s path. The French forward rounded Dimitrievski with ease and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Four minutes later Gayà was shown a straight red card for a desperate challenge on Mbappé as the striker looked set to break clear. Valencia’s resistance, already thin, effectively ended there. Madrid saw out the remaining time comfortably, with late substitutes nearly adding a fourth.

The result leaves Real Madrid on 30 points, level with Barcelona (who face Atlético Madrid on Sunday) and two clear of third-placed Atlético. For Mourinho’s side it is further evidence of growing cohesion and confidence. Valencia remain deep in trouble, still without a home win under Aguirre and second-bottom on nine points.