SOCCER: Real Madrid beat Valencia to stay on Barcelona's heels

Real Madrid kept pace in the LaLiga title race with a 2-0 win at Valencia, as second-half goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe decided a subdued match. The victory left Madrid just one point behind leaders Barcelona.

REUTERS

February 9, 2026

Real Madrid's Alvaro Carreras celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal against Valencia during their LaLiga match at Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain, on February 8, 2026.

Pablo Morano / Reuters

VALENCIA, Spain — Real Madrid remained within one point of LaLiga leaders Barcelona after securing a 2-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday, with second-half goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe deciding a match that offered few clear chances.

Madrid controlled possession for much of the contest but struggled to break down Valencia’s defense in the opening hour. Despite their dominance, the visitors created limited scoring opportunities, and Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was rarely tested as Madrid failed to turn control into consistent attacking threat.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when left back Carreras capitalized on a scramble inside the penalty area. After a deflection, Carreras reacted quickest and fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner to give Madrid the lead.

Valencia pushed forward in search of an equalizer late in the match, but Madrid sealed the win in stoppage time. Mbappe finished off a counter-attack, meeting a low cross from substitute Brahim Diaz and scoring with a first-time effort from close range.

The win keeps Real Madrid firmly in the title race as the LaLiga season continues to tighten at the top of the standings. -Reporting by Fernando KallasEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters