Mbappe, Real Madrid crush Valencia to tighten grip on La Liga standings

Real Madrid defeated struggling Valencia 4-0 on Saturday, and Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Carreras both scored as Real Madrid cruised to a 4:0 victory.

Real now leads Real 30 points at the top of the standings, seven points clear of Villarreal and eight clear of third-placed Barcelona, who are at the same level with Atletico Madrid on 22 points but still have a game in hand.

Valencia, who sits 18th in La Liga with nine points, are already battling to avoid relegation after six league games.

In the 19th and 31st minutes, Mbappe scored two goals for the home team, first converting a penalty awarded for a handball by Cesar Tarrega, and then firing home a volley from close range 12 minutes later.

In the 44th minute, Carreras unleashed an unstoppable angled shot in the 82nd to wrap up the thrashing, just after Valencia keeper Julen Agirrezabala denied Vinicius Jr. from the penalty spot.

Real presided over the situation, with Mbappe and Federico Valverde only narrowly missing early chances, while Agirrezabala and Vinicius Jr. had strong efforts denied.

A VAR review in the 19th minute led to the breakthrough, allowing Mbappe to step up and calmly convert the penalty.

Mbappe completed a successful move with a close-range volley twelve minutes later, adding another pair of goals. Arda Guler delivered a precise cross to the Frenchman at the far post from Bellingham with a flawless through ball.

Mbappe has now scored 13 goals in all of his La Liga matches this season and 18 in each league game.

Mbappe is “spectacular.” He needs to be enjoyed by us. May he keep scoring for Madrid, for his own team, and for his entire history. I have no doubt that he will succeed in the long run. Valverde described him as one of the best in the world by Real Madrid TV.

Real cooled off in the second half to prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against Liverpool on Tuesday.