Real Madrid grinds out a vital 2-0 win at the Mestalla, refusing to let Barcelona out of their sights in the La Liga race.

It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t poetic, but it was ruthlessly effective. Real Madrid traveled to the hostile cauldron of the Mestalla and emerged with a 2-0 victory over Valencia, a result that keeps the pressure firmly on leaders Barcelona. In a season defined by injuries and inconsistency, Carlo Ancelotti’s men showed the grit of champions, weathering a Valencian storm before striking with lethal precision in the second half.

Mbappe and Carreras Seal the Deal

The first half was a war of attrition, with Valencia’s young squad pressing high and disrupting Madrid’s rhythm. Vinicius Jr. was kept quiet by persistent fouling, and the midfield battle was a bruising affair. But as they have done so many times before, Madrid found a way when it mattered most.

The turning points of the match were:

• The Breakthrough: Young defender Alvaro Carreras silenced the home crowd in the 65th minute, surging forward to slot home a goal that came against the run of play.
• The Dagger: Kylian Mbappe, quiet for much of the game, exploded into life in stoppage time (91st minute), finishing a counter-attack to secure the three points and kill off any hope of a Valencia comeback.
• Defensive Masterclass: Thibaut Courtois made two world-class saves to deny Valencia an equalizer, reminding everyone why he is the best in the business.

The Chase Continues

The win moves Real Madrid back to within striking distance of the top. With "El Clasico" looming on the horizon, every point is gold dust. "We knew we had to suffer today," Ancelotti admitted post-match. "But suffering is part of winning."

For Valencia, the defeat leaves them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, a fallen giant fighting for survival. But for Los Blancos, the message to Catalonia is clear: We are not going anywhere.

The La Liga title race is far from over. In fact, it just got a whole lot hotter.