Mbappe’s Last-Minute Goal Keeps Real Madrid on Barcelona’s Heels
Late Mbappe Strike Secures Real Madrid Victory and Narrows Gap on Barcelona
- Mbappe scores his 38th goal of the season in stoppage time to win it for Madrid.
- Alvaro Carreras gives Valencia a brief second-half lead before Madrid’s comeback.
- Real Madrid closes the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point.
Kylian Mbappe netted his 38th goal of the season as Real Madrid secured a seventh consecutive La Liga win, closing the gap on leaders Barcelona to just a single point.
The French striker converted a low cross deep into stoppage time, rescuing a win after Alvaro Carreras had given Valencia the lead earlier in the second half.
Madrid had struggled to break down a well-organized Valencia side until Carreras powered past two defenders and slotted a low, right-footed shot into the net 20 minutes into the second half.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, missing the suspended Vinicius Junior and injured Jude Bellingham, dominated possession in the opening stages but rarely troubled goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
The visitors began creating chances as the game progressed. Arda Guler saw a low effort deflected wide, while Dimitrievski made a strong save to deny Mbappe’s powerful strike. The Valencia goalkeeper followed it up by tipping David Jimenez’s first-time effort around the post.
Valencia’s first-half threat came from Arnaut Danjuma, whose left-footed drive was deflected wide by Raul Asencio. In the second half, Lucas Beltran almost doubled their advantage with a flicked effort that went wide. Beltran then came close to leveling five minutes after Carreras’ opener, but his first-time shot hit the outside of the post.
Mbappe’s dramatic late goal ensured all three points for Real Madrid, matching Barcelona’s earlier victory over Mallorca and leaving the two sides separated by just one point at the top.
Valencia remain 17th, hovering just above the relegation zone, although they have played one more match than the three teams below them.
