Kylian Mbappe found the net for the seventh game in a row as Real Madrid won 3-0 away at Valencia on Saturday, according to Channels TV. The result lifted Madrid provisionally level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
It was Madrid's eighth consecutive victory in all competitions under coach Jose Mourinho. The visitors were largely in control at the Mestalla stadium.
How the goals came
Federico Valverde opened the scoring with a strike from outside the box. Mbappe's free-kick had been blocked by the Valencia wall, and the ball dropped to the Uruguayan. Arda Guler then doubled the advantage after a Jude Bellingham cross took a helpful deflection into his path.
Early in the second half, Guler had a chance to make it three, but Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski claimed the ball as the midfielder tried to go around him. Dimitrievski also kept out Mbappe's attempt to chip him, a Bellingham effort after a strong run through the defence, and an overhead kick from Mbappe.
Mbappe eventually got his goal. He ran onto a dangerous pass from Guler, got past Dimitrievski and finished. It was his 13th league goal of the season and his 17th in 16 games in all competitions.
Key moments and Valencia's night
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a sharp save to stop Aaron Mayol after the Valencia player dispossessed Aurelien Tchouameni in a dangerous area. Valencia's Guido Rodriguez also had a goal ruled out for offside before Madrid took control.
With about 10 minutes left, Valencia's Jose Gaya was sent off for a late sliding challenge on Mbappe, further hurting the side coached by Javier Aguirre.
In the ninth minute, the game paused so players and fans could pay tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died on Tuesday, according to the report.
Pressure on Barcelona
Madrid were without winger Vinicius Junior, who was serving the last game of a four-match suspension. Channels TV noted that the team has done well in his absence and has kept the heat on Barcelona, whom they beat in the Clasico at Camp Nou on October 25.
Barcelona, the reigning champions, travel to third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, hoping to move clear of the chasing pack again.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Espanyol, under new coach Eder Sarabia, drew 0-0 at home with Deportivo La Coruna. Osasuna scored late to draw 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao, and Racing Santander came from behind to beat Malaga 2-1.
- Based on reporting by
