Real Madrid defeat Valencia with clinical second-half display to keep pressure on Barcelona | OneFootball

Real Madrid maintained the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a disciplined 2–0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla.

The result extended Madrid’s winning league run and ensured the gap at the summit remained just a single point heading into the next round of fixtures.

This was a game that demanded patience rather than flair.

Valencia approached the contest in survival mode, organised and combative, determined to frustrate a Madrid side missing both Vinicius Junior through suspension and Jude Bellingham through injury.

Madrid dominated possession from the outset but initially struggled to turn control into penetration.

Early efforts came from range, with Arda Guler seeing a low shot deflected wide and Kylian Mbappe forcing Stole Dimitrievski into a sharp save at his near post.

David Jimenez then tested the Valencia goalkeeper with a first-time strike that required an even better stop to push the ball away from danger.

Valencia offered threat on the break.

Arnaut Danjuma was their most direct outlet, twice driving at the Madrid defence, while Lucas Beltran glanced a delivery wide early in the second half.

The breakthrough arrived midway through the second period.

Alvaro Carreras showed persistence inside the area, bundling past two defenders before steering a low right-footed effort beyond Dimitrievski to give Madrid a deserved lead.

The goal altered the dynamic without settling the contest.

Valencia responded with urgency and came close to equalising moments later when Beltrán struck the outside of the post with a first-time effort.

Madrid remained composed.

Rather than retreat, they continued to circulate the ball patiently, managing the tempo and limiting Valencia’s opportunities to build sustained pressure.

As the match entered stoppage time, Madrid found the decisive second goal.

Mbappe met a low cross inside the box and finished clinically to record his 38th goal of the season and remove any remaining doubt.

It was a familiar pattern.

Madrid were not spectacular, but they were efficient, controlled and ruthless when the opportunity presented itself.

The victory matched Barcelona’s win earlier in the weekend and kept the title race finely balanced.

The evening ended in frustration for Valencia.

Despite a spirited and organised display, they were left empty-handed and remain just above the relegation zone, having now lost ground at a critical stage of the season.

Madrid departed Mestalla with three points secured and momentum intact.

In a title race defined by narrow margins, this was another reminder of their ability to do just enough, exactly when it matters.