Kylian Mbappé scored a dramatic late winner as Real Madrid claimed their seventh consecutive La Liga victory, closing the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just one point.
The French forward struck in second-half stoppage time, converting a low cross to seal the points after Álvaro Carreras had earlier broken the deadlock. Mbappé’s goal his 38th of the season ensured Madrid kept pace with Barcelona, who had beaten Mallorca on Saturday.
Real Madrid struggled for much of the match to break down a well-organised Valencia side. Despite enjoying plenty of early possession, the visitors failed to seriously test goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the opening stages.
Their pressure eventually told 20 minutes into the second half when Carreras forced his way past two defenders and guided a low right-footed shot into the net to give Madrid the lead.
With Vinícius Júnior suspended and Jude Bellingham sidelined through injury, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side gradually grew into the contest. Arda Güler saw a low effort deflected wide, while Dimitrievski was forced into action to parry a powerful drive from Mbappé. The Valencia goalkeeper then produced an excellent save to tip David Jiménez’s first-time strike wide of the far post.
Valencia had chances of their own. Arnaut Danjuma was lively throughout the first half but saw his best effort deflected wide by Raúl Asencio. Early in the second half, Lucas Beltrán flicked another Danjuma delivery just wide, before later striking the outside of the post with a first-time effort that nearly levelled the scores.
As Valencia pushed for an equaliser, Madrid struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time. Mbappé calmly finished from close range to secure all three points and keep the title race finely balanced.
The result leaves Real Madrid just one point behind Barcelona at the top of the table. Valencia, meanwhile, remain 17th and sit only one point above the relegation zone, having played a game more than the teams below them.
