Álvaro Carreras produced a moment of magic as Real Madrid defeated Valencia 2–0 at the Mestalla, keeping the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The full-back broke the deadlock in the second half with a brilliant solo effort before Kylian Mbappé wrapped up the victory late on to secure all three points for the visitors.
Mbappé’s stoppage-time strike was his 23rd league goal of the season, leaving him just one behind Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the race to finish as Europe’s top scorer.
The win moved Alvaro Arbeloa’s side back to within a point of Barcelona after 23 matches, ensuring the title race remains tight.
Valencia, meanwhile, stay just above the relegation zone and continue to struggle near the bottom.
The hosts started brightly, delivering several dangerous balls into the Madrid penalty area and forcing a string of corners in the opening stages.
Madrid gradually settled and created two quick chances in the 19th minute. Arda Güler’s effort struck Hugo Duro and rolled narrowly wide, almost resulting in an own goal.
From the corner that followed, Mbappé forced a save from Stole Dimitrievski from a tight angle.
The French forward soon tested the goalkeeper again, but his tame attempt was comfortably gathered.
Dimitrievski was called into action once more before the half-hour mark, denying debutant David Jiménez after he was played through by Mbappé.
The match lacked quality for long periods, but it was transformed by a moment of brilliance in the 66th minute.
Carreras danced past three defenders inside the box and fired through a defender’s legs into the bottom corner to give Madrid the lead.
Valencia almost responded five minutes later when Filip Ugrinic’s dangerous cross flashed across goal, but Fran Beltrán could not apply the finishing touch as the ball drifted just wide.
The home side pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Madrid struck again at the death. Brahim Díaz broke into space on the left and squared for Mbappé, who finished from close range to seal the win.
