Valencia 0-3 Real Madrid Player Ratings: Guler 9.0/10 as Los Blancos Rout 10-Man Los Che

Quick Summary Table

Real Madrid have now won eight in a row in all competitions, and the Mestalla showed why: they had 32 touches in Valencia’s box to the hosts’ four, and an xG of 2.2 to 0.16. The 3-0 win leaves Los Blancos level on 30 points with leaders Barcelona, though they have played a game more.

What stood out to us was how calmly Real Madrid built from the back, using Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate as playmakers rather than just stoppers. In contrast, Valencia’s back line never looked settled, especially after Jose Gaya’s late red card added another layer of frustration. Watching it live, you could sense confidence flowing through Madrid, very different vibes to the tense body language on the home side.

The highlight was clearly Arda Guler’s brilliant display; he pulled the strings in midfield and felt like the best player on the pitch by some distance. His combinations with Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham ripped open Valencia’s shape again and again. In a fiery La Liga clash at a packed Estadio de Mestalla, Real showed maturity, Valencia showed nerves, and the 3-0 result told only part of the story we saw unfolding. Check out the Valencia vs Real Madrid player ratings.

Valencia Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Here are the Valencia player ratings from the Valencia vs Real Madrid player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Stole Dimitrievski - 7: Dimitrievski kept this from becoming a humiliation. He produced several strong saves against Mbappé and Bellingham, standing up well in one‑on‑ones. His shot-stopping looked sharp, even if his distribution was sometimes rushed under Madrid’s press. We noticed his frustration with his defenders after each unchallenged shot from the edge of the box. Conceding three felt harsh on him, because the protection in front was poor most of the night.

Defenders

César Tárrega - 6: Tárrega actually started fairly solid, winning most of his direct duels early on. His clearances were decisive, and we saw him throwing himself in front of shots with real commitment. But as the game stretched, he struggled to track Madrid’s runners from deep. The second half exposed his lack of pace against Mbappé’s movements into the channels. Overall, he competed, yet never really imposed himself on the 3-0 defeat.

Justin de Haas - 5: De Haas had a rough evening and it showed in his body language. He was repeatedly late into challenges, giving away cheap fouls that handed Madrid territory. We noticed hesitancy when dealing with balls in behind, almost waiting instead of attacking the situation. Being substituted at half-time for Luis Rioja felt inevitable. His passing was tidy enough, but defensively he never looked comfortable against this level of pressure.

José Gayà - 4.5: As captain, Gayà’s night went from difficult to disastrous. He struggled to contain Madrid’s wide rotations and spent long spells pinned back. The red card on 79 minutes summed up his frustration, coming after another late challenge. We noticed him arguing with the referee, shoulders slumped, knowing he’d left his side in deeper trouble. Before the dismissal he did block a shot and tried to drive forward, but the negatives outweighed the positives here.

Pepelu - 5.5: Used more as a hybrid defender, Pepelu worked hard but looked overwhelmed at times. His passing accuracy stayed high, which we appreciated under heavy pressure. However, his duels numbers tell the story; he rarely dominated his zone. The yellow card late on felt like a tired foul rather than controlled aggression. One blocked shot and several clearances showed effort, yet his influence never really steadied Valencia’s back line.

Pablo Maffeo - 5: Maffeo’s performance really disappointed us personally. He gave away fouls constantly, breaking Valencia’s rhythm and inviting pressure. The early yellow card seemed to rattle him, and he never fully recovered. You could see him hesitating in tackles, half-committing because of the booking. When he did push forward, his passing was inconsistent and he surrendered possession too often. Being substituted just after the hour felt like the right call.

Midfielders

Guido Rodríguez - 5.5: Guido battled in midfield but never truly controlled anything. We saw him chasing shadows as Madrid circulated the ball with ease. His passing was okay in simple zones, yet he offered little creativity. The yellow card on 50 minutes came from another late, tired challenge. He did produce a couple of recoveries, but overall he looked second-best against Tchouaméni and Diomande’s physical presence.

Javi Guerra - 6: Guerra tried to inject some energy and vertical runs from midfield. His through ball to Danjuma for that 67th-minute chance was one of Valencia’s few bright moments. We noticed him demanding the ball and trying dribbles, even when the game turned ugly. But he also conceded several fouls and lost duels, which blunted his impact. Subbed late, he left the pitch visibly frustrated, knowing he couldn’t change the tide.

Aaron Ndive Mayol de la Cueva - 6.5: Even without a player slug, Aaron caught our eye more than most Valencia teammates. He forced Courtois into a good save with a driven attempt from distance. His passing in the final third showed ambition, though his decision-making wasn’t always perfect. Defensively, he chipped in with a few tackles and interceptions, working both ways tirelessly. Still, like the rest of the midfield, he couldn’t match Madrid’s structure and quality over ninety minutes.

Forwards

Umar Sadiq - 5.5: Sadiq had a battling, messy game that never really clicked. He spent most of the first half wrestling with Konaté and Huijsen, losing more duels than he won. We saw him drift wide at times, trying to find space, but service into him was poor. Several offsides and fouls summed up a lack of composure in key moments. Substituted just before the hour, his frustration after an injury delay was obvious in his expressions.

Arnaut Danjuma - 6: Danjuma showed flashes of quality but lacked consistent involvement. His best moment came with that left‑footed shot on 67 minutes, forcing a decent save from Courtois. We expected more direct dribbling from him based on past performances. Instead, he had very few touches and often found himself isolated on the flank. He worked hard off the ball, yet never truly threatened Madrid’s defensive block.

Substitutes

Luis Rioja - 5.5: Coming on at half-time, Rioja tried to bring width and aggression. He drew a yellow card of his own in a heated spell, which felt needless. His offside near the end summed up Valencia’s lack of timing in attack. We noticed him constantly gesturing for teammates to push higher, but the structure never improved. Overall, his impact was more chaotic than constructive.

Aimar Blázquez - 5.5: Blázquez entered with energy yet struggled to influence the game in dangerous areas. He committed multiple fouls in quick succession, gifting Madrid free kicks and allowing them to slow things down. There were brief moments where he pressed intelligently, but they didn’t lead to chances. His body language, hands on hips after Mbappé’s goal, showed how deflated Valencia felt. A willing runner, not a game-changer here.

Filip Ugrinic - 6: Ugrinic’s cross for Pepelu’s blocked shot at 78 minutes was one of Valencia’s rare good attacking sequences. We appreciated his willingness to get on the ball under pressure. However, he also conceded a foul soon after coming on, disrupting momentum again. His passing looked neat, but he couldn’t push Madrid’s midfield back consistently. A competent cameo, nothing more from our viewpoint.

Arnau Martínez - 5.5: Replacing Maffeo, Arnau didn’t really change the dynamic on the right side. He kept things safer defensively, but contributed little going forward. We barely saw him overlapping or providing dangerous crosses. Against Madrid’s control, he mainly held his position and tried not to get exposed. A quiet, cautious performance that neither hurt nor helped Valencia much.

Jesús Vázquez - 5.5: Introduced late, Vázquez had minimal time to alter the flow. He tried to offer width on the left after Gayà’s dismissal, but Madrid simply managed the game well. We noticed him making runs that weren’t found by teammates. In such a controlled ending from Real, his influence stayed very limited. Hard to judge fully, yet he certainly didn’t stand out.

Manager

J. Aguirre Onaindía - 5: Aguirre’s game plan never settled the team emotionally or tactically. Valencia pressed in patches but without coherent structure, leaving huge spaces for Madrid’s technicians. The substitutions felt reactive rather than proactive, especially with Sadiq’s withdrawal coming only after injuries and repeated fouls. There was no clear adjustment once Madrid took a 2-0 lead, which surprised us. The red card and general indiscipline suggested a side not fully under control on the night.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Valencia

Have a look at the Real Madrid player ratings from the Valencia vs Real Madrid player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 7: Courtois had a relatively comfortable but still important evening. He made two solid saves, including a strong stop from Danjuma that preserved Madrid’s cushion. His distribution, especially long balls into midfield, helped Real bypass Valencia’s sporadic press. We noticed his calm body language after each claim, settling his defenders. In a 3-0 win, he did exactly what was required without needing heroics.

Defenders

Dean Huijsen - 8: Huijsen impressed us massively with his composure and passing. He played out from the back like an experienced playmaker, completing 69 of 75 passes with authority. His long balls consistently broke lines and sent Mbappé into promising positions. Defensively, he won most of his duels and handled aerial threats confidently. The headed chances he created in the box showed his attacking value too. A complete modern centre-back performance.

Federico Valverde - 8: Valverde was immense and could easily claim man of the match on another day. His stunning opener from outside the box changed the entire momentum. We loved how he mixed defensive discipline with attacking bursts down the right. His long passing was laser-sharp, repeatedly switching play to stretch Valencia. He also won all his duels, reflecting that he dominated physically. Captain’s display, full of intensity and intelligence.

Ibrahima Konaté - 7.5: Konaté quietly controlled his area and rarely looked troubled. He won key aerials against Sadiq, setting the tone early. His passing was nearly perfect, and those driven long balls into midfield were very effective. We noticed how often he stepped out confidently to intercept danger before it grew. A couple of fouls showed aggressive defending, but they never felt reckless. Strong, reliable performance from the back.

Marc Cucurella - 7.5: Cucurella gave a classic high-volume full-back display. He touched the ball more than almost anyone and circulated possession with outstanding accuracy. His overlapping runs and free-kick wins on the left relieved pressure and pushed Valencia back. Defensively, he read the game well, with smart recoveries and clearances in wide zones. We noticed his constant communication, pointing and shouting teammates into shape. One of the under-discussed heroes of the night.

Midfielders

Jude Bellingham - 7.5: Bellingham played more of a controlling role than a headline-grabbing one. He linked play smoothly, rarely wasting possession despite Valencia’s close attention. His runs into the box generated several good chances that Dimitrievski had to deny. We saw his frustration after a big chance missed, but he kept working selflessly. Defensively, he pressed intelligently and won most of his duels. All-round influence without the goal his play probably deserved.

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 7: Tchouaméni anchored midfield with authority and subtlety. He snuffed out counters, recovered the ball repeatedly, and rarely looked flustered. His shot from distance in the first half forced a good save from Dimitrievski. What stood out to us was his positioning, always offering a safe outlet for teammates. The offside and one error leading to a shot were minor blips. Overall, a strong screening job in front of the defence.

Arda Güler - 9: For us, Arda Güler was clearly the highest-rated player on the pitch and the true man of the match. He scored a superb second goal, calmly finishing into the top corner from the center of the box. Beyond the goal, his vision was outrageous at times; those through balls to Mbappé carved Valencia open. Three key passes, big chances created, constant movement, he basically orchestrated everything good for Madrid. We noticed his confidence growing with each touch, shoulders relaxed, always demanding the ball. Subbed late to loud applause, he delivered a genuine masterclass that felt special to watch.

Bernardo Silva - 7: Bernardo quietly stitched Madrid’s play together between the lines. His four key passes and clever positioning gave Arda and Mbappé ideal platforms. He had a shot blocked and even from deeper zones, his long passing was excellent. An error that led to a shot was his one clear blemish. Otherwise, we saw a constant willingness to receive under pressure and turn out. A smart, technically clean performance fitting his reputation.

Yan Diomande - 7.5: Diomande surprised us with how dominant he looked physically. He won the majority of his duels and dribbled past opponents with real power. At times he felt everywhere, pressing, tackling, then driving forward with the ball. His yellow card was a minor stain in an otherwise impressive game. We particularly liked his defensive work, three tackles won and constant covering runs. A breakout type display that added steel to Madrid’s midfield.

Forwards

Kylian Mbappé - 8: Mbappé started a bit wasteful but grew into the match terrifically. He eventually got his goal with a clinical finish from the six‑yard box after Güler’s perfect through ball. Before that, he forced Dimitrievski into multiple saves and kept threatening with diagonal runs. We noticed his duels and fouls drawn, constantly unsettling Valencia’s defenders. The yellow card late on showed his competitive edge boiling over slightly. Overall, a dynamic display that matched the scoreline.

Substitutes

Endrick - 6.5: Endrick’s cameo was short but lively. He immediately looked eager to run in behind and stretch a tired Valencia defence. One offside showed his aggressive starting position. He didn’t get a clear chance, yet his movement created spaces for teammates. He added energy without needing to be decisive.

Eduardo Camavinga - 6.5: Camavinga came on to close the game out and did so efficiently. He helped maintain Madrid’s midfield tempo, recycling possession and winning a late free kick. We noticed his maturity, slowing things when necessary, speeding them up occasionally. He didn’t feature in big chances, but he ensured Valencia never built late momentum. A professional, controlled cameo.

Brahim Díaz - 6.5: Brahim drifted into pockets between the lines and kept Valencia guessing. His touches were neat, even if he didn’t create a clear scoring chance. We saw him pressing from the front with good intensity, not allowing easy buildup. In a game already decided, he helped maintain quality and focus. Solid minutes, even without standout actions.

Manager

José Mourinho - 8: Mourinho’s game plan looked spot-on from our vantage point. He trusted technical defenders to start attacks and gave Güler license to roam and create. The team structure stayed compact, yet allowed Mbappé plenty of space to attack wide and inside. Substitutions were logical, protecting key players once the 3-0 cushion arrived. We noticed how calm the bench remained even during brief Valencia flurries. A tactically controlled, statement away win in La Liga.

Valencia vs Real Madrid Man of the Match: Arda Guler (9.0/10)

Arda Guler earned Man of the Match with a 9.0 rating. He tapped in from close range on 36 minutes after Bellingham’s cross deflected off Pepelu, then brought Courtois’ long ball under control and slid it onto a plate for Mbappe on 75. He also had a one-on-one saved by Dimitrievski on 55 before making way for Camavinga on 84.

Worst Player in Valencia vs Real Madrid: Jose Gaya (5.1/10)

Valencia captain Jose Gaya was the lowest-rated player on the pitch at 5.1/10. He was sent off in the 79th minute for a challenge with no attempt to play the ball, as Mbappe was set to run down the left from Diomande’s through ball. The fracas that followed brought four more bookings for Rioja, Diomande, Pepelu and Mbappe.