Real Madrid lead Valencia 2-0 at half-time after goals from Valverde and Guler

Real Madrid took a 2-0 lead into half-time against Valencia in week 12 of La Liga, with Federico Valverde opening the scoring before Arda Guler doubled the advantage.

Valverde put Real Madrid ahead when he reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and drove a low shot into the bottom-left corner.

Guler then extended the lead with a composed finish from a fine cross, meeting the delivery with a precise shot that went into the net beside the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

Real Madrid dominated possession during the opening half, holding 76% of the ball compared with Valencia’s 24%. They also registered eight attempts, four of which were on target, while Valencia managed only two shots, with one testing the goalkeeper.

Valencia briefly thought they had pulled a goal back when defender Cesar Tarrega found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Aron Mayoul came close to equalising before Real Madrid opened the scoring. The Valencia player found space on the edge of the area and sent a powerful shot towards the top corner, but Thibaut Courtois produced an impressive save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Jose Gaya also tried his luck from distance, but his fierce strike was blocked by the Real Madrid defence before it could reach the goal.

At the other end, Guler had an opportunity to add to his tally before half-time. He created space near the edge of the penalty area and struck towards the bottom-right corner, but Stole Dimitrievski made an excellent two-handed save to remove the danger.

Real Madrid had created several other openings. Jude Bellingham’s cross was controlled by Kylian Mbappe with a first touch, but a Valencia defender intervened in time to win the ball. The Valencia defence also stopped Bellingham’s run and cleared Marc Cucurella’s pass for corners.

Yan Diomande twice threatened for Real Madrid. His cross into the box was close enough for Dimitrievski to collect comfortably, while he also dribbled past Valencia players before a defender successfully intervened to take the ball away from danger.

Real Madrid regularly circulated possession in midfield and were awarded corners after the Valencia defence dealt with attacking moves involving Bellingham and Diomande. Valverde was also caught offside during the half.

Pablo Maffeo was shown a yellow card for Valencia. Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was on the substitutes’ bench, also received a booking.

The referee added three minutes of stoppage time before bringing the first half to an end.