A shorthanded Real Madrid side managed to grind out a 2–0 win against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday evening, propelled by strikes from Álvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé.
With key figures like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo sidelined, Madrid’s improvised frontline found it difficult to find their rhythm for much of the encounter.
Following a stagnant first half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute through a moment of individual brilliance by Carreras.
Madrid maintained control into the final minutes, rarely looking like they would concede the equalizer. To put the game beyond reach, Mbappé slotted home his ninth goal of 2026 in stoppage time, ensuring the team returned home with all three points.
Under the guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa, the squad has now put together a seven-match winning streak in the league, keeping them within a single point of leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
GK: Thibaut Courtois — 6.9
The Belgian shot-stopper was mostly a bystander throughout the night. Valencia failed to register a single shot on target, leaving Courtois with little to do other than organize his backline during occasional set pieces.
RB: David Jiménez — 7.1
Making his full La Liga debut, the youngster had a testing night. While he was occasionally caught out of position and missed a prime opportunity to score, he remained composed enough to avoid any catastrophic errors on the big stage.
CB: Raúl Asencio — 7.3
Playing through a lingering injury, Asencio remains the most reliable presence in the heart of the Madrid defense. His positioning was vital in covering for Jiménez during defensive transitions.
CB: Dean Huijsen — 8.2
Though he was physically tested by Lucas Beltrán early on, Huijsen grew into the game. He provided the long-range pass that eventually led to the second goal, adding a crucial offensive contribution to his defensive duties.
LB: Álvaro Carreras — 8.5
The standout performer of the night. With the left flank open in the absence of Vinícius Jr, Carreras exploited the space brilliantly, culminating in a superb solo effort that gave Madrid the lead and changed the momentum of the match.
RM: Arda Güler — 7.5
Starting deeper than usual, the Turkish international eventually moved into a more central playmaker role. Despite his high activity levels, he will be disappointed not to have created more clear-cut chances for the strikers.
CM: Federico Valverde — 7.9
A characteristically tireless performance from the Uruguayan, though he lacked his usual creative edge. While he kept the engine room running, his passing remained safe, and he struggled to truly dictate the tempo of the game.
CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni — 8.4
The defensive anchor was instrumental in breaking up Valencia’s counter-attacks. He effectively shielded the back four, ensuring the hosts rarely made it into the final third with any real threat.
LM: Eduardo Camavinga — 7.3
Operating in a wide midfield role, Camavinga provided essential defensive cover. His efficiency on the ball was notable, misplacing only three passes over the course of the full 90 minutes.
ST: Kylian Mbappé — 8.0
Denied space for most of the match by a disciplined Valencia defense, Mbappé grew visibly frustrated. However, he maintained his clinical streak by finishing a late chance to secure the win and continue his impressive scoring run.
ST: Gonzalo García — 6.5
It was a quiet night for the young forward, who struggled to find chemistry with Mbappé. He often found himself drifted out to the wings where his impact on the game was significantly diminished.
Key Substitutes
Trent Alexander-Arnold (76’ for Jiménez) — 6.4
Returning from a two-month injury layoff, the Englishman looked sharp in his brief cameo, providing much-needed verticality with several passes into the final third.
Brahim Díaz (76’ for Gonzalo) — 6.7
Made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Mbappé’s late goal, proving once again why he is such a valuable asset off the bench.