Madrid beat Valencia as Spanish football pays tribute to De Miguel

Real Madrid continued their winning run with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday, moving level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Federico Valverde, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe scored as Jose Mourinho's side recorded their eighth straight victory across all competitions.

The win increased the pressure on defending champions Barcelona, who face third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Madrid entered the match without Vinicius Junior, who was serving the final match of his four-game suspension.

However, his absence did little to slow down the visitors. Valencia thought they had taken the lead when Guido Rodriguez found the net, but the referee ruled out the goal for offside.

Valverde opened the scoring with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area after Mbappe's free kick hit the Valencia wall and fell into his path. Guler doubled the advantage shortly afterwards.

Jude Bellingham sent a cross into the box, and a deflection helped the Turkish midfielder find space to finish. Madrid continued to create chances, but Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski made several saves to deny Guler, Mbappe and Bellingham.

Mbappe eventually added the third goal in the second half. Guler played a dangerous pass into his path, and the French forward raced past Dimitrievski before finding the net.

আরও পড়ুন It was Mbappe's 13th league goal of the season and his 17th in 16 matches across all competitions. He has now scored in seven consecutive appearances for Madrid.

Valencia's problems grew worse when captain Jose Gaya received a red card with around 10 minutes remaining. The defender made a late sliding challenge on Mbappe, leaving the hosts with 10 players.

The defeat left Valencia in 19th place, one point away from safety. "We knew it would be a tough game, facing Madrid at their best moment of the season," Gaya told DAZN.