In a match that lacked excitement, Real Madrid managed to secure three points against Valencia with a final score of 2-0 on Sunday night at Mestalla as part of the 23rd matchday of La Liga. The team, playing without key players Vinicius and Bellingham, delivered a disappointing performance but still emerged victorious thanks to a personal effort by left-back Carreras who opened the scoring in the 65th minute. Mbappé sealed the win with his 23rd league goal of the season, striking in injury time after being set up perfectly by Brahim Diaz from the penalty spot.

Despite the win, Real Madrid's performance raised concerns about their capability to sustain pressure on league leaders Barcelona, as they failed to dominate the match against a struggling Valencia side. This result allows Real to narrow the gap to just one point behind Barcelona in the league standings, but fans are left hoping for a more robust display in future matches. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will need to address their inconsistency as the season progresses, especially with challenging matches on the horizon.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Kylian Mbappé’s continued scoring prowess, as he remains a crucial player for Madrid’s title aspirations. His late goal not only reinforces his status as one of the season's top scorers but also illustrates his importance to the team, particularly in the absence of other offensive stars. As the season approaches its business end, how Madrid manages their squad and whether they can find a rhythm will be critical in their pursuit to reclaim the La Liga title from Barcelona.