Real Madrid kept the La Liga title race tight with a hard-fought 2–0 win away at Valencia on Sunday, cutting Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to just one point.
After Barcelona’s 3–0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday, Madrid responded with a disciplined display at Mestalla to stay firmly in contention.
Missing suspended winger Vinicius Junior and injured midfielder Jude Bellingham, Los Blancos lacked fluency but showed resilience and efficiency when it mattered.
Madrid created the better chances in a tight first half, with Arda Guler firing narrowly wide after a deflection and Kylian Mbappe forcing a strong save from Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Academy graduate David Jimenez also went close after being set up by Mbappe, but Dimitrievski again stood firm.
The breakthrough came midway through the second half when defender Alvaro Carreras drifted inside from the left and calmly finished with his weaker right foot to beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Valencia nearly responded, but Lucas Beltran’s stretched effort clipped the post after beating Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid introduced Trent Alexander-Arnold for his first appearance since early December following a thigh injury, as they pushed to secure the win. The visitors sealed the points deep into stoppage time when Brahim Diaz teed up Mbappe, who finished calmly for his 23rd La Liga goal of the season.
Valencia supporters, some waving white handkerchiefs in protest, left Mestalla with their team still hovering dangerously in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone, while Real Madrid kept the pressure firmly on Barcelona at the summit.
