Real Madrid won 3-0 away to Valencia on Saturday night, with Arda Güler the standout in a result that stretched Madrid's winning run to eight matches in all competitions. Güler scored once and assisted once at Mestalla, where the visitors were already in control before José Luis Gayà's late red card. The win left Madrid level with Barcelona overnight, with Barca still due to visit Atlético Madrid on Sunday.

Güler takes the headline

The key moments all came through Madrid's main attacking names, but Güler was the one who drove the game. Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Güler added the second in the 36th, and Kylian Mbappé wrapped it up in the 75th from Güler's assist.

That sequence tells the story of the night quite well. Valverde gave Madrid control, Güler gave them incision, and Mbappé applied the final touch once the spaces opened up.

Güler finished with a 9.0 rating and it matched what the game looked like. One goal and one assist in an away win is already enough to own the night, but he also stood out because Madrid never looked rushed. They had a young forward making decisive actions without forcing them.

Mbappé still got on the scoresheet, even on a quieter night by comparison. Foot Mercato quoted him in comments translated from French with the line: "Mbappé beach ball," after the crowd taunted him at Mestalla. The chant became background noise once Madrid were two up and cruising.

There was also a reminder that the margin might have been wider. Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski made eight saves, which kept the game respectable long before the closing stages.

Madrid's run and the title pressure

This was not just a flashy away win in Valencia vs Real Madrid. It pushed Madrid's run to eight consecutive victories in all competitions, and that is the part José Mourinho will care about most.

The standings detail needs a bit of care. Madrid drew level with Barcelona overnight on 30 points, but that did not make them league leaders because Barcelona had not yet played their next match. SPORT1 quoted the Real Madrid coach, in comments translated from German, saying: "The league leaders will face Atlético Madrid on Sunday evening."

That leaves pressure on Barcelona without inventing a title-race swing that has not happened yet. Madrid have done their part. Barcelona still had theirs to play.

Valencia's night got worse in the 79th minute, when José Luis Gayà was sent off and the home side were reduced to 10 men. By then, though, the result was already settled. Madrid had scored through Valverde, doubled the lead through Güler and reached the third through Mbappé before the dismissal arrived.

For Valencia, the defeat leaves them 19th on 9 points. For Madrid, the more important number is eight straight wins, with Güler at the centre of this one and Barcelona's trip to Atlético Madrid still to come on Sunday evening.

FAQ

Why was Arda Güler the standout in Real Madrid's win over Valencia?

Güler was directly involved in two of Real Madrid's three goals at Mestalla. He scored in the 36th minute and then set up Kylian Mbappé for the third in the 75th minute. He also finished with a 9.0 rating, the best mark on the pitch.

How important was the Real Madrid win over Valencia in the La Liga title race?

The 3-0 win pushed Real Madrid's run to eight straight victories in all competitions and left them level with Barcelona overnight on 30 points. It did not put Madrid top, because Barcelona's trip to Atlético Madrid was still to come.

Did the red card change Real Madrid vs Valencia?

Valencia were reduced to 10 men when José Luis Gayà was sent off in the 79th minute, but the game was already heading Madrid's way by then. Federico Valverde had scored in the 28th minute, Güler added the second in the 36th, and Mbappé made it 3-0 in the 75th.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →