Real Madrid refused to blink in the La Liga title race on Sunday, securing a hard-fought victory over Valencia to cut the gap to leaders FC Barcelona to just one point.
In a match where they were without key stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side relied on a moment of brilliance from an unlikely source and a trademark finish from Kylian Mbappe to seal a seventh straight league win.
Match Report: Persistence Pays Off
Madrid struggled to break down a disciplined Valencia defense for much of the contest. Alvaro Carreras finally broke the deadlock 20 minutes into the second half. He bundled his way past two defenders. Then, he steered a low, right-footed effort into the net.
Valencia currently sits precariously in 17th place. However, they had their chances. Arnaut Danjuma looked lively in the first half. Lucas Beltran also nearly equalized shortly after the opener. He struck the outside of the post.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Returns
The victory was sweetened by the return of England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The right-back replaced David Jimenez in the 76th minute, marking his first appearance in two months following a thigh injury. It has been a stop-start season for the Englishman, who has been limited to just 16 appearances since his move to the Spanish capital.
Injury Update: Jude Bellingham
While Alexander-Arnold returned, concerns remain for Jude Bellingham. The midfielder is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in last weekend’s win over Rayo Vallecano.
Reports suggest Bellingham could be out for a month, with a target return date set just before the March international break. This will be a crucial window for England manager Thomas Tuchel, who will look to finalize his squad for the 2026 World Cup in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
