Real Madrid ease past Valencia as Kylian Mbappe closes on Raphinha in La Liga scoring race

Real Madrid maintained their perfect run with a 3-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday, moving level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga on a temporary basis.

The result was Real Madrid’s eighth successive win in all competitions. It also allowed Kylian Mbappe to reduce the gap to Raphinha in the race for the Pichichi award to two goals.

The match began with an emotional tribute to former Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel, who died tragically earlier in the week during a Spanish second-tier fixture. De Miguel was honoured before kick-off, while Valencia supporters held a special tribute in the ninth minute in recognition of his shirt number.

Real Madrid took control early and opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Federico Valverde met the rebound from a free-kick taken by Mbappe after it had struck the defensive wall, sending a powerful half-volley into the net.

Arda Guler doubled the visitors’ advantage eight minutes later. The Turkey international finished after Jude Bellingham had created the opening with a run down the wing.

Valencia had a chance to reduce the deficit before half-time, but Yan Diomande was unable to convert. The home side also expressed frustration with the officials, with Pablo Maffeo criticising the decision to award the foul that preceded Valverde’s goal during his half-time interview.

Real Madrid continued to dominate after the break, although both Guler and Mbappe missed opportunities to extend the lead. Mbappe eventually added a third goal in the 75th minute after receiving a precise pass from Guler, rounding Valencia goalkeeper Dimitrievski and finishing into an unguarded net.

The goal took Mbappe’s La Liga tally to 13, leaving him two behind Raphinha at the top of the scoring charts.

Valencia’s task became even harder four minutes later when captain Jose Luis Gaya was sent off for a challenge on Mbappe. The forward had been subjected to mocking chants from the home crowd before leaving the pitch to a chorus of jeers.

Real Madrid’s latest victory keeps them level with Barcelona in the title race, although only temporarily, and extends their winning sequence across all competitions to eight matches.

The fixture listings also include Tavernes de la Valldigna in the Copa del Rey on 10 November 2026, followed by Valencia against Real Madrid in La Liga on 21 November 2026 and Celta Vigo.