Real Madrid turn first-half control into a 3-0 win over Valencia

Valverde opened the match from midfield

Valencia stayed compact in the opening minutes and created the first clear attempt. Thibaut Courtois had to dive to stop Mayol’s shot from outside the area in the 19th minute.

Madrid then began to find space around the edge of the box. A Mbappe free kick struck the wall in the 28th minute, and Valverde collected the rebound before placing a precise shot beyond Stole Dimitrievski.

Guler doubled the lead before the interval

Arda Guler scored in the 36th minute, only eight minutes after the opener. Jude Bellingham reached the byline and pulled the ball back, allowing Guler to finish first time with his right foot.

Guler nearly scored again before the interval, but Dimitrievski saved his powerful effort from the edge of the area. The second goal nevertheless changed the task for both teams: Madrid could choose its moments, while Valencia needed to take greater risks.

Mbappe finished a controlled second half

The match was played on 7 November. Madrid created three strong chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, but Dimitrievski denied Guler, Mbappe and Bellingham.

Mbappe finally scored in the 75th minute after Guler controlled the ball and turned away from pressure before supplying the pass. It was Mbappe’s seventh consecutive match with a goal and removed Valencia’s remaining chance of a late recovery.

The score reflected Madrid’s management of risk

Real Madrid did not need constant pressure after taking a two-goal lead. The midfield slowed the match when Valencia threatened to build momentum and accelerated when the hosts lost their shape.

Jose Gaya was sent off in the 79th minute after fouling Mbappe as the forward ran through on goal. Valencia’s main problem, however, had appeared before the red card: too many attacks ended in wide areas against an organised defence, while Madrid repeatedly reached the box through the centre. The visitors also kept creating after missed chances instead of allowing the tempo to fall, so the clean sheet and three-goal margin reflected the overall performance.