Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Jude Bellingham scored for the third successive game as LaLiga leaders Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 victory over Valencia.
Madrid, who are now seven points clear of second-placed Villarreal led 2-0 through Mbappé’s double when Bellingham struck just before half-time.
They were first to threaten when, after Mbappé had forced a sixth-minute corner from Arda Guler’s deft pass, Federico Valverde fired just wide when the set-piece was only half-cleared.
Valencia had arrived ready to defend deep and in numbers and attempt to hit Madrid on the counter, but they found themselves under pressure with keeper Agirrezabala having to save a 13th-minute Bellingham shot.
However, the respite proved temporary with the hosts taking the lead from the penalty spot just two minutes later after Mbappé and Bellingham had both gone down in the box as they attempted to meet a corner, although the subsequent VAR check concentrated on a potential handball. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer ultimately pointed to the spot and Mbappé stepped up to send Agirrezabala the wrong way to open the scoring with 19 minutes gone.
The France international doubled his tally with 14 minutes of the first half remaining when he arrived on cue to turn the industrious Guler’s cross past the helpless keeper.
Carlos Corberan’s men retreated ever deeper as the pressure mounted. Carreras was clearly felled inside the area by Thierry R. and Busquets Ferrer awarded a penalty. Vini Jr. took the spot kick, but Agirrezabala was on hand to save the Brazilian’s effort and then deny Arda Güler’s follow-up. Nonetheless, the third goal arrived shortly after, when Bellingham cut inside and curled a 44th-minute shot expertly round the keeper.
Xabi Alonso sent on Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga for Güler and Tchouaméni at the break, but the changes did little to quell his side’s attacking intent, although the visitors proved more resilient in the early stages of the second half.
Despite dominating possession, Madrid were struggling to create openings and they were almost caught out when keeper Thibaut Courtois had to palm away Andre Almeida’s strike after a rare Valencia attack. Overall the second half was far more leisurely, even with a couple of dangerous shots by Los Blancos.
Carreras made it 4-0 with an 82nd-minute piledriver after substitute Rodrygo’s effort had been blocked, but substitute Javi Guerra was denied a consolation strike for the visitors by the crossbar. This action concluded the game as the hosts celebrated another win at home.
