Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Valencia in La Liga at the Mestalla, with goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe. The win moves Los Blancos to within one point of leaders Barcelona. Despite missing key players, Madrid controlled the game and struck late to claim the points.
The match on February 8, 2026, kicked off at 8pm UK time at Valencia's Mestalla stadium. Valencia lined up with Stole Dimitrievski in goal, defended by Unai Nunez, Fabio Comert, and Cristhian Mosquera, while Arnaut Danjuma and Hugo Duro led the attack alongside Lucas Beltran. Real Madrid, missing Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo due to injury, and Vinicius Jr through suspension, started with Thibaut Courtois in net, a backline of debutant David Jimenez, Manuel Asencio, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras, and Kylian Mbappe up front with Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia.
The first half was cautious, with Real Madrid dominating possession but struggling to break down Valencia's compact defense. Mbappe tested Dimitrievski from tight angles, and Jimenez had a shot saved, but Valencia threatened on counters. Danjuma and Duro combined on the wings, Beltran headed narrowly wide, and Nunez shot over from distance. Courtois faced little serious danger, and the teams went into halftime level at 0-0.
After the break, the game opened up. Valencia came closest early when Beltran clipped the post from a cutback. Federico Valverde tested the keeper from range, and Mbappe twice got behind the defense but missed. The breakthrough came in the 65th minute: Huijsen passed to Carreras on the left, who dribbled into the box and finished low into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Madrid grew in confidence, with Brahim Diaz—subbed on later—stretching the defense. Valencia's Umar Sadiq missed a late chance, shooting over. In stoppage time, a long ball caught Valencia out; Brahim stayed onside and squared for Mbappe to tap in and seal the 2-0 win.
Pre-match, Valencia sat 16th, one point above relegation after losing to Real Betis, having won two of their last three league games. Real Madrid entered on a six-game La Liga winning streak, with the second-best away record, following a controversial victory over Rayo Vallecano. They had won the reverse fixture 4-0. This result keeps the title race tight, with Madrid now one point behind Barcelona after the Blaugrana's weekend win.
