Just a few days after their impressive win in the El Clásico, Real Madrid hosted Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu and secured a convincing 4:0 victory.
After Valencia’s surprise victory in Madrid last season, the home side were determined to avoid a repeat. Madrid aimed to stay top of the table, while the 18th-placed visitors hoped to cause another upset. As LaLiga Player of the Month for October and current Golden Boot winner, Kylian Mbappé was especially keen to continue his phenomenal streak.
From the kickoff, Valencia were not content to hide in their own half and showed intent to push forward. Even though they occasionally enjoyed longer periods of possession, Los Blancos quickly asserted their dominance. With Valencia compact at the back, Mbappé created the first chance with a shot inside the box that was blocked for a corner. Federico Valverde followed up with a long-range effort after the corner, narrowly missing the goal in the 6th minute. Valencia then launched a counterattack after Madrid lost the ball in an advanced position, but Madrid’s defense was alert and quickly stopped the attack.
In the 14th minute, Jude Bellingham drove into the box from the left, dribbled past his marker, and struck powerfully, only for Valencia keeper Julen Arrigezabala to make a well-positioned save. Madrid continued to dominate, forcing Valencia deeper into their own half. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute after a corner by Arda Güler. Eder Militao’s initial attempt was blocked, and after VAR intervention for a handball, Madrid were awarded a penalty. Mbappé calmly converted from the spot, putting the home side 1:0 up.
As the game continued Madrid’s control intensified. In the 31st minute, Bellingham delivered a brilliant deep pass to Güler, who played it on to Mbappé. Standing alone in the box, the French forward volleyed the ball into the net to make it 2:0 and score his 13th LaLiga goal of the season.
Minutes before halftime, Thierry Correia drew a foul in the box, resulting in another penalty. Vini Jr. missed the spot-kick, and Güler’s follow-up was saved by Arrigezabala. However, Bellingham made it 3:0 in the 44th minute after receiving a long ball from Valverde on the left. Dribbling past three defenders, he struck a powerful shot into the bottom right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. By halftime, Madrid held a commanding lead, clearly illustrating the difference in class.
The second half began with a double substitution for Madrid: Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos replaced Aurélien Tchouaméni and Güler. Valencia struggled to respond, mostly reacting to Madrid’s play without creating significant chances. The game meandered along, with Real calmly circulating the ball among themselves. After a failed tackle by Valencia’s Eray Cömert, Vini Jr. sprinted down the left, leaving his marker behind and playing the ball to Mbappé who took it first time. Arrigezabala however cleared it with a punch. Right after follows Valencia’s first shot on goal in the 64th minute. André Almeida shoots from distance, but Thibaut Courtois is equal to the task.
In the 67th minute, Madrid made another change, with Raúl Ascencio replacing Dean Huijsen. By the 74th minute, Valverde tested the goalkeeper from distance as Madrid struggled to create clear-cut chances while still looking for another goal. In the 79th minute, Real made a double substitution: Endrick came on for Vini Jr., and Mbappé was replaced by Rodrygo, receiving a standing ovation from the stadium for his efforts.
The highlight of the match came in the 82nd minute. Picking up a rebound, Álvaro Carreras positioned the ball on his left foot and fired it into the top-right corner, making it 4:0. Moments later, Valencia’s Javi Guerra attempted to replicate the spectacular goal, but his shot hit the post.
A mostly one-sided game ended with a well-deserved 4:0 win for Los Blancos. Real Madrid showcased why they sit at the top of the table with a dominant first half before easing off slightly after going 3:0 up. The victory should have served as a perfect warm-up for their upcoming Champions League match against Liverpool.