Carreras wondergoal and late Mbappe strike see Real Madrid past Valencia

Updated: Feb 8, 2026, 10:49 pm

A moment of brilliance from Álvaro Carreras helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 win at Valencia which kept the pressure on LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Carreras' individual goal in the second half put Madrid on the path to the three points at the Mestalla, with Kylian Mbappé's late goal sealing things.

Mbappé bagged his 23rd league goal of the season at the death as he moved one goal behind Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as the top scorer in Europe.

Victory saw Alvaro Arbeloa's men move back to within one point of Barca after 23 games and they remain firmly in the title picture.

Valencia remain deep in relegation trouble, hovering just a point above the drop zone.

Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe were Real Madrid's scorers at the Mestalla.
Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe were Real Madrid's scorers at the Mestalla.
Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

They put the visitors under some early pressure, with balls flying into the box and forcing several corners.

But Arbeloa's men began to assert some control and fashioned two quickfire chances in the 19th minute.

First, Arda Guler's shot hit Hugo Duro and rolled just wide of the post as Valencia just avoided an own goal.

From the resulting corner, Mbappé tested Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski from an acute angle.

The Frenchman then had another effort but his tame shot was much easier for Dimitrievski.

The Macedonia goalkeeper was being kept busy and he did well to keep his side level when he denied debutant David Jiménez who had been played in by Mbappé just before the half-hour.

It had been a low-quality match but a moment of sublime individual skill saw Madrid go ahead in the 66th minute.

Kylian Mbappe scored Real Madrid's second goal against Valencia.
Kylian Mbappe scored Real Madrid's second goal against Valencia.
Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

Carreras wriggled into the box, beating three challenges, before picking out the bottom corner with a shot that went through a defender's legs.

The lead should have been short-lived as Valencia had a great chance to level in the 71st minute.

Filip Ugrinic's fizzed cross seemed destined to be turned home by Fran Beltrán, but the ball went agonisingly wide.

Valencia pushed for a leveller but Mbappé sealed victory in the 90th minute.

Madrid took advantage of space in Valencia's half as Brahim Díaz was set free down the left and he teed up Mbappé to fire home from close range.