Real Madrid level points with Barcelona after beating Valencia 3-0

Real Madrid drew level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona following a comfortable win at struggling Valencia.

Captain Federico Valverde broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, firing a crisp low shot from 20 yards after Kylian Mbappe’s free-kick rebounded off the wall.

Eight minutes later, Jose Mourinho’s team doubled their lead when Arda Guler volleyed home from six yards after Jude Bellingham’s cutback deflected kindly into his path.

The visitors stayed in control after the break, and the outcome was settled 15 minutes from time when Guler picked out Mbappe, who rounded the goalkeeper to claim his 13th league goal of the season.

Things got even worse for Valencia when captain Jose Gaya was sent off for scything down Mbappe as the striker looked set to race clear on goal.

A fourth consecutive league win leaves Real kept off top spot only by goal difference, though Barca can restore their three-point cushion when they face third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday (20:00 GMT).

Valencia remain 19th, a point above the drop zone, after a seventh league defeat in 12 games.

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

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