Real Madrid achieved a convincing 3-0 victory over Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This win propels them to joint top of the La Liga table with Barcelona, with only goal difference separating the two teams. The match saw goals from Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, and Kylian Mbappe, highlighting Real Madrid's strong performance.
The scoring began in the 28th minute when Valverde scored with a powerful low shot from outside the penalty area. This effort came after Mbappe's free-kick was blocked by the Valencia defence. Eight minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their lead through Guler, who scored with a volley from close range after Jude Bellingham's pass took a deflection and fell into his path.
Valencia struggled to create clear chances as Real Madrid controlled much of the match. The visitors' dominance was further emphasized when Mbappe sealed the victory in the 75th minute after receiving a pass from Guler. The French striker went past the Valencia goalkeeper before calmly finding the back of the net, marking his 13th league goal this season.
The match took a turn for the worse for Valencia when their captain, Jose Gaya, received a straight red card four minutes after Mbappe's goal. Gaya was sent off for bringing down Mbappe as the striker raced towards goal. This incident further compounded Valencia's difficulties, leaving them 19th on the league table, just one point away from safety.
The defeat was Valencia's seventh in 12 league matches this season, highlighting their struggles. On the other hand, Real Madrid secured their fourth consecutive league victory, demonstrating their strong form. The result has intensified the competition at the top of the La Liga table, with Barcelona having the opportunity to restore their three-point lead when they face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The match was briefly stopped in the ninth minute to honour Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match. Players and supporters observed a minute's applause in his memory, showing respect for the late player.
With this win, Real Madrid has moved level on points with Barcelona, and the two teams are now closely matched in the La Liga standings. The competition is expected to remain fierce as the season progresses. Key points from the match include Real Madrid's strong performance, Valencia's struggles, and the implications of the result on the league table.
Key points
- Real Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
- Valencia remain 19th on the league table, just one point away from safety.
- Kylian Mbappe scored his 13th league goal this season.
