Real Madrid sink Valencia as Mbappé strikes in stoppage time

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Real Madrid maintained their title push with a composed 2–0 away victory over Valencia in their LaLiga Round 23 encounter on Sunday night.

After a tight first half at the Mestalla, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Álvaro Carreras, who capped an impressive individual run with a low, precise finish inside the left post to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Valencia pushed for a response and came agonisingly close in the 71st minute, when Lucas Beltrán skipped past the goalkeeper but struck his effort against the post, squandering the hosts’ clearest opportunity of the match.

As Valencia committed men forward in search of an equaliser, Madrid remained patient and clinical.

Deep into stoppage time, Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory in the 91st minute, latching onto a superb through pass and drilling a composed shot inside the right post to make it 2–0.

The French forward had been a constant threat throughout the contest, testing goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski earlier in the game and stretching Valencia’s back line with his pace and movement.

Real Madrid controlled long spells of possession, particularly in midfield, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga dictating the tempo, while their defence stayed organised under intermittent pressure from the hosts.

Valencia, despite showing resilience and energy, struggled to convert possession into clear-cut chances, with their best moments ultimately undone by wasteful finishing and Madrid’s defensive discipline.