Real Madrid Cruise Past Valencia as Arda Güler Shines in Comfortable LaLiga Victory

Real Madrid Extend Winning Run with Dominant Performance

Real Madrid produced another commanding performance on the road, defeating Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla on Saturday to extend their winning run and keep the pressure on LaLiga leaders Barcelona. Federico Valverde, Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé found the net as the visitors turned a strong first-half display into a comfortable victory.

The result moved Madrid to 30 points, level with Barcelona at the top of the table. Barcelona retained first place on goal difference and had a game in hand, but Madrid’s eighth consecutive league victory ensured the title race remained firmly in focus. Valencia, meanwhile, were left with another difficult evening and remained second-bottom on nine points after 12 matches.

Madrid arrived in Valencia without Vinícius Júnior, who was serving the final match of his suspension. His absence did little to disrupt the visitors’ attacking rhythm. Mbappé led the line, while Güler and Jude Bellingham provided creativity behind him. The visitors looked organised from the opening stages and gradually took control of possession, territory and the chances created.

Valencia had moments of promise before Madrid opened the scoring. Aaron Mayol threatened after taking advantage of an error from Aurélien Tchouaméni, but Thibaut Courtois reacted sharply to keep out his effort. The home side also briefly thought they had taken the lead through Guido Rodríguez, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Those chances showed that Valencia could cause problems, but they were unable to sustain that threat once Madrid settled into the contest.

Valverde Breaks the Deadlock

Madrid’s quality in the final third soon became decisive. The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute through Valverde, whose powerful strike gave the visitors a deserved advantage. Mbappé’s free-kick had been blocked by the Valencia wall, and the loose ball fell into the Uruguayan’s path. Valverde took the opportunity quickly, sending a fierce effort beyond Stole Dimitrievski.

Their second goal arrived only eight minutes after the opener, underlining how effectively they punished the home side during a crucial spell.

Bellingham played an important role in the move, driving forward and delivering a ball into the danger area. After the delivery took a deflection, Güler reacted quickest and finished from close range to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute. The Turkish international’s movement and awareness allowed him to arrive in the right place, giving Madrid a two-goal cushion before the interval.

Valencia needed a response after the break, but Madrid remained difficult to unsettle. The hosts attempted to move forward with greater urgency, yet they struggled to turn possession into sustained pressure or clear opportunities. Madrid’s defensive shape limited the space available around the penalty area, and Courtois remained alert whenever Valencia managed to test him.

The visitors, by contrast, continued to look dangerous whenever they moved into attacking positions. Mbappé went close as he sought to add to the lead, while Bellingham also found openings around the Valencia defence. Dimitrievski made important interventions to prevent the scoreline from becoming more emphatic earlier in the second half.

Mbappé Completes the Scoring

Madrid eventually secured the third goal in the 75th minute, with Güler again at the centre of the action. The midfielder played a precise pass into Mbappé’s path, allowing the French forward to get beyond the goalkeeper and guide the ball into the net. It was a composed finish that reflected Madrid’s greater confidence and quality in the decisive moments.

Mbappé’s movement stretched Valencia’s defence throughout the contest, and his contribution went beyond the goal. He was involved in the sequence that led to Valverde’s opener and remained a constant concern for the home side’s defenders.

Valencia’s night deteriorated further five minutes after the third goal when captain José Gayà was shown a straight red card for a foul on Mbappé. The dismissal left the hosts with ten players for the closing stages and made an already difficult task even harder. Madrid managed the remaining minutes without allowing the contest to become uncomfortable.

Madrid’s Statistical Dominance

The statistics highlighted the difference between the sides. Madrid enjoyed 69 per cent possession and registered 19 shots, compared with Valencia’s four. The visitors also recorded 11 shots on target, while the home team managed only two. Madrid had 12 attempts from inside the box and created four big chances, although the scoreline could have been more substantial had they converted every opportunity.

Valencia’s four shots and 31 per cent possession reflected the problems they faced in building attacks. They managed two attempts from inside the area and two from outside, while Madrid blocked five efforts. The hosts were unable to find a goal and were frequently forced to defend for long periods.

Arda Güler Named Man of the Match

Güler deserves the man-of-the-match recognition after delivering a decisive performance in Madrid’s victory. He scored the second goal and supplied the assist for Mbappé’s finish, directly contributing to two of the three goals. His influence was not limited to those moments, as he repeatedly helped Madrid progress the ball and connect midfield with the attack.

The 21-year-old showed excellent awareness for his goal, reacting quickly to the loose ball after Bellingham’s delivery was deflected. Rather than allowing the opportunity to pass, he adjusted his position and finished from close range to give Madrid a commanding lead. It was an important contribution because Valencia had been competing well in the early stages and needed to be punished for allowing Madrid space around the box.

His assist for Mbappé was another example of his quality. Güler recognised the forward’s movement and delivered the pass at the right moment, giving the striker the opportunity to finish one-on-one with Dimitrievski.

Güler also offered composure in possession and helped Madrid maintain their attacking momentum. His ability to find pockets of space made it difficult for Valencia to close down the visitors, while his decision-making ensured that Madrid did not rely solely on individual runs from Mbappé.

Valverde also deserves credit for setting Madrid on their way with a forceful finish, while Mbappé’s movement and goal gave the result its final shape. Courtois was important when Valencia threatened, particularly in the first half, and Bellingham’s work helped create the second goal. Nevertheless, Güler’s combination of a goal, an assist and consistent attacking influence separated him from the rest.

For Madrid, the victory was another statement of intent in a demanding title race. They have continued to collect points despite Vinícius’ absence, and the attacking contributions of several players have helped maintain their momentum. Their next challenge will be to carry this level of discipline and efficiency into the fixtures ahead.

Valencia must now find a way to respond. Their inability to turn possession into meaningful chances, combined with defensive lapses and Gayà’s dismissal, made the defeat particularly damaging. With the club still near the bottom of the table, improvement is needed quickly.

At Mestalla, Madrid were clinical when the opportunities arrived, controlled the contest for long spells and left with all three points. The 3-0 win keeps them alongside Barcelona on 30 points and sends a clear message that they intend to remain in the title conversation.