Real Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona after securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday.
Federico Valverde, Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé scored as the visitors extended their winning streak to four league matches, leaving them second on goal difference.
Valverde broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a powerful low shot from 20 yards after Mbappé’s free-kick rebounded off Valencia’s defensive wall.
Real Madrid doubled their lead eight minutes later when Güler volleyed home from close range.
The Turkish midfielder capitalised on a deflected cutback from Jude Bellingham to beat Valencia’s goalkeeper.
The visitors continued to dominate after the break, with Mbappé sealing the victory in the 75th minute.
Güler supplied the assist, allowing the French forward to round the goalkeeper and register his 13th La Liga goal of the campaign.
Valencia’s difficult evening worsened four minutes later when captain José Gayà was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mbappé, who was poised to race through on goal.
The victory leaves Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona, who can restore their three-point advantage when they face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Valencia, meanwhile, remain 19th in the table, one point away from safety, following their seventh defeat in 12 league games.
The match was briefly halted in the ninth minute as players and supporters observed a minute’s applause for Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died after sustaining a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match.
