Carreras and Mbappé Strike to Secure Real Madrid’s Seventh Straight La Liga Triumph in Valencia

Key Takeaways:

• Real Madrid recorded a 2:0 victory away to Valencia in the 23rd round of La Liga
• Alvaro Carreras opened the scoring in the 65th minute before Kylian Mbappé added another in stoppage time
• With their seventh consecutive league win, Real Madrid sit just one point behind leaders Barcelona

Match Analysis

Real Madrid extended their winning streak in La Liga to seven consecutive matches by securing a 2:0 win against Valencia at the Mestalla in the 23rd round. Although Alvaro Arbeola’s side did not produce a scintillating display, they managed to take all three points and continue their pursuit of Barcelona at the top of the table.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Alvaro Carreras made a solo run and netted Real’s opening goal. Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory with a composed finish in the first minute of added time after an assist by Brahim Díaz. As a result, Los Blancos remain only one point adrift of the league leaders.

🏁 FT: @Valenciacf_en 0-2 @RealMadridEN
⚽ 65' Carreras
⚽ 90'+1' @KMbappe@Emirates pic.twitter.com/ofodzkEzTH

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 8, 2026

Team News and Tactical Overview

The visitors were forced to adapt to several absences. Vinícius Júnior sat out due to a suspension from accumulated yellow cards, and Rodrygo missed the match through injury. This meant Real fielded Mbappé and Gonzalo García up front, while Federico Valverde returned in midfield. Youth prospect David Jiménez featured at right-back for only his second league appearance. On the positive side for Real, both Rüdiger and Trent were included in the squad, with Trent even seeing playing time during the match.

Meanwhile, Valencia adopted a defensive approach and relied on Hugo Duro and Lucas Beltrán in attack. The hosts were disciplined at the back and managed to frustrate Real Madrid for large spells, even creating a scare in the 71st minute when Beltrán’s effort struck the post – Valencia’s only serious chance, as Thibaut Courtois did not face a single shot on target all evening.

Key Moments and Player Performances

The opening phase of the contest was cagey, with Real’s Arda Güler forcing a save from the goalkeeper in the 18th minute, and Mbappé’s effort moments later was also dealt with. The next significant chance arrived after 28 minutes when David Jiménez, set up by Mbappé, was denied by Dimitrievski. The first half concluded without further notable incidents.

The second half maintained a similar pattern, with Real controlling possession but struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. It was not until the 62nd minute that Real produced their first shot on goal after the break, with Valverde testing Dimitrievski once more.

Three minutes later, Carreras made a decisive contribution, breaking the deadlock with a low finish – remarkably, his only other goal for Real Madrid also came against Valencia earlier in the season at the Bernabéu. Valencia responded by pushing forward, and came agonisingly close to equalising when Beltrán’s attempt in the 71st minute struck the post.

Real soon steadied the game and could have extended their advantage in the 82nd minute, but Mbappé’s angled effort missed the target. The French international eventually sealed matters in the opening minute of stoppage time, converting a pass from Brahim Díaz to make it 2:0.

La Liga Standings Impact & Upcoming Fixtures

This seventh consecutive league triumph means Real Madrid have matched a run that even rivals Barcelona have not matched this season, leaving the capital side only one point behind their Catalan adversaries. Valencia, on the other hand, remain perilously close to the relegation places.

Real Madrid are scheduled for a break in midweek and will next be in action on Saturday, when they host Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu.