By Paul Joseph
Kylian Mbappe netted his 38th goal of the season as Real Madrid secured their seventh consecutive La Liga win, reducing the deficit to league leaders Barcelona to just one point.
The French striker scored from a low cross during stoppage time in the second half, sealing the victory after Alvaro Carreras had given Valencia the lead earlier in the half.
Madrid found it challenging to penetrate a well-organized Valencia defense until Carreras managed to push past two defenders and scored with a low right-footed shot 20 minutes into the second half.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s team, missing the suspended Vinicius Junior and injured Jude Bellingham, had plenty of possession early on but failed to trouble Valencia’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski.
However, they soon began to pose a threat, with Arda Guler’s low shot deflected wide and Dimitrievski saving a powerful effort from Mbappe.
The Valencia keeper made an even more impressive save, tipping David Jimenez’s first-time shot wide of the far post.
Valencia’s best opportunity in the first half came from the energetic Arnaut Danjuma, whose left-footed attempt was deflected wide by Raul Asencio, while Lucas Beltran narrowly missed a flick from a Danjuma cross early in the second half.
Beltran nearly equalized five minutes after Carreras’ goal, but his left-footed shot hit the outside of the post.
Mbappe’s late goal ensured Real Madrid took all three points, matching Barcelona’s win over Mallorca on Saturday, and ending the weekend just one point apart.
Valencia remained in 17th place, now just one point above the relegation zone, although they have played one more game than the three teams below them.
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold returned after a two-month absence due to a thigh injury.
Since joining Madrid, the right-back has made only 16 appearances across all competitions, contributing two assists.
This injury was his second of the season, having previously missed six weeks due to a hamstring strain.
Alexander-Arnold’s return coincides with Bellingham’s ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury.
Bellingham was visibly upset after injuring his left hamstring less than 10 minutes into Madrid’s 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
Reports indicate that he could be sidelined for a month.
Bellingham hopes to be fit for the March international break, which will be England manager Thomas Tuchel’s last chance to coach players before announcing his World Cup squad in May.
England has friendlies scheduled against Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31.
The team’s World Cup opener is set for June 17 against Croatia.
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