Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Alvaro Carreras helped Real Madrid upset Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
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Published February 9, 2026
Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Valencia on Sunday after second-half goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé ended a largely uneventful game, keeping them within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Real dominated the ball but Valencia keeper Stoll Dimitrievski struggled to convert chances and saw little action as the visitors struggled to convert control into a threat.
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It took until the 65th minute for Carreras to break the deadlock, but Mbappé added the point in stoppage time.
Barcelona are in first place with 58 points, while Real are in second place with 57 points. Valencia are in 17th place, one point above the relegation zone.
Mbappé had the main shot with sporadic runs down the left flank, but clear chances were limited.
Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa was forced to improvise without suspended winger Vinicius Junior and injured trio of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Eder Militao.
His absence paved the way for academy players Raul Asensio, David Jimenez and Gonzalo García to start, with Mbappé providing the one bright spot in a lackluster Real side.
In a fortunate turn of events, full-back Carreras broke the deadlock.
Carreras entered the box ambitiously and lost the ball to a Valencia defender, but the ball bounced off his attempt to clear and he accidentally fell at his feet.
The 22-year-old was quickest to react, firing a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Valencia barely responded and Real scored the winner in stoppage time. Substitute Brahim Dias launched a counter-attack from the left and slipped a low cross into the area for Mbappé to score his first goal from close range.
This was the French forward’s 23rd league goal, putting him eight goals clear of the top scorer.
“Playing for Valencia is always like going to the dentist,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“We knew how difficult the match would be and how tough it would be. It was a very serious and dedicated match. I’m happy.”
“In terms of brilliance, we can definitely improve our game. There is a lot of room for improvement. But teams are built on solidity and dedication. (Thibault) Courtois didn’t make a single save today. Dedication, dedication, sacrifice. Madrid showed those values once again today.”
Elsewhere on Sunday, Atletico Madrid suffered a further setback in the title race with a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Betis.
Anthony scored a powerful shot from the edge of the box in the 28th minute to give Manuel Pellegrini’s side a vital victory and strengthen their bid for European qualification.
Atlético are far behind in third place with 45 points, three points behind fourth-placed Villarreal, who have two games in hand. Betis are in 5th place with 38 points.
