La Liga: Real Madrid ease past Valencia to go level with Barcelona

Real Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona after a comfortable victory at struggling Valencia.

Captain Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a crisp, low drive from 20 yards after Kylian Mbappe’s free-kick came back off the wall.

Eight minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage as Arda Guler volleyed in from six yards after Jude Bellingham’s cutback was deflected kindly into his path.

The visitors remained in control in the second half and the result was put beyond doubt 15 minutes from time when Guler found Mbappe, who rounded the goalkeeper to score his 13th league goal of the campaign.

It only got worse for Valencia as captain Jose Gaya was sent off for scything down Mbappe with the striker set to streak clear on goal.

A fourth straight league win means only goal difference keeps Real off top spot, although Barca can restore their three-point advantage when they play third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Valencia stay 19th, a point from safety, after a seventh league defeat from 12 games.

The game was paused nine minutes into the first half to allow players and fans to pay tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match, with a minute’s applause.

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