Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid Player Ratings: Carreras and Mbappe Save the Day for Los Blancos In a Rather Dreary Outing

Real Madrid travelled to the Mestalla to face Valencia in the matchday 23 fixture of the 2025/26 La Liga season. Valencia started on the front foot, but Real Madrid slowly climbed their way back into the game.

Although Los Blancos kept most of the possession in the first half, they failed to find a way past Dimitrievski in goal. Kylian Mbappe and David Jimenez came close, but it was way too easy for the Valencia goalkeeper to deal with.

In the second half, Madrid continued their dominance, with Valencia occasionally showing up on the counter. It was not until the 66^th minute that Alvaro Carreras set off on a solo run from the left flank and slid in a cute shot past a wrong-footed Dimitrievski to give Los Blancos the much-needed lead.

One of the best players in the world currently, Kylian Mbappe, stepped up to score the second goal of the game from a Brahim Diaz assist, which earned Real Madrid important three points to keep the pressure on FC Barcelona. Valencia showed heart, with Lucas Beltran hitting the post, which summed up their story of the night.

They remain dangerously close to the relegation zone in La Liga, with Rayo Vallecano breathing heavily down their necks.

Here are the Valencia vs Real Madrid Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Real Madrid had the most possession and the most shots taken throughout the game.
• Alvaro Carreras opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a brilliant solo run, followed by a cheeky finish.
• Kylian Mbappe bagged the second for Real Madrid in the 91st minute after a horror show throughout the entirety of the game.

Valencia Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Have a look at the Valencia Player Ratings from the Valencia vs Real Madrid Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Stole Dimitrievski - 7.5: We thought he was excellent and kept his team in the game for long stretches. He made four saves, including two crucial stops from inside the box. His distribution was a bit shaky, with only 48% pass accuracy. But his shot-stopping was top-notch. He was decisive and couldn't be faulted for the goal.

Defenders

José Copete - 6.0: A quiet but reasonably solid outing. He was tidy in possession with an 87% pass accuracy. He only lost possession four times. However, he was dribbled past once and only engaged in one duel, which he lost. We wanted to see a bit more assertiveness from him against a top side.

Unai Núñez - 6.5: A mixed bag of a performance. He was a beast in the air, winning three aerial duels and making six clearances. From our perspective, he read the game well with two interceptions. However, he was also dribbled past and lost the ball six times before being subbed. A decent effort overall.

José Gayà - 6.5: The captain put in a workmanlike shift. He was involved everywhere, making two tackles and winning five duels. He tried to get forward, putting in three crosses. But his final ball was lacking and he was caught offside once. He was solid defensively but offered little going forward.

Eray Cömert - 7.0: A very strong defensive display from our point of view. He made a massive eight clearances and two interceptions. His last-man tackle was a potential goal-saver. His distribution was a little wayward at times, but his primary job was to defend, and he did that exceptionally well.

Midfielders

Arnaut Danjuma - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the winger. He created one chance and had a shot blocked, but he was largely ineffective. He lost possession 12 times and was dispossessed once. We noticed he struggled to get into the game and make his mark against a strong Real Madrid defense.

Luis Rioja - 6.0: Much like his midfield partner, he struggled to impose himself. He put in nine crosses but only one found its target, which was a real source of frustration. He lost possession a staggering 19 times. While he worked hard, the quality just wasn't there on the night.

Pepelu - 7.0: A really combative performance in the middle of the park. He recovered the ball seven times and made two interceptions. He also won five of his eight duels, showing great fight. He was a steady presence before being substituted. We were impressed by his tenacity.

Filip Ugrinic - 6.5: He created a big chance that led to Beltrán hitting the post, which was his standout moment. He was tidy on the ball with 85% pass accuracy. However, he was also dispossessed twice and didn't offer enough consistent threat. A decent, if unspectacular, performance.

Forwards

Hugo Duro - 5.5: A very tough night for the striker. He was completely isolated. He only had 17 touches of the ball. He lost eight of his eleven duels, including seven of nine in the air. He was a willing runner, but he was given absolutely no service and couldn't impact the game at all.

Lucas Beltrán - 6.5: So unlucky not to score. He struck the woodwork and missed another big chance. He was a real handful, drawing four fouls and winning seven duels. However, his final product was lacking, and he was a bit wasteful in front of goal despite his constant involvement.

Substitutes

Guido Rodríguez - 6.0: Came on for Pepelu to add fresh legs but couldn't change the game's dynamic.

Thierry Correia - 6.0: Replaced Unai Núñez and provided some energy but had little time to make a major impact.

Largie Ramazani - N/A: Introduced late in the game with little time to influence proceedings.

Javi Guerra - N/A: Came on in the final ten minutes.

Umar Sadiq - N/A: A late substitute with no real opportunity to get involved.

Manager

C. Corberán Vallet - 6.5: Set his team up well defensively. They were organized and frustrated Real Madrid for large parts of the game. However, his side offered very little going forward. The substitutions didn't quite have the desired effect. A solid tactical plan that was undone by one moment.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Valencia

Check out the Real Madrid Player Ratings from the Valencia vs Real Madrid Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 6.5: Had a very quiet night, facing zero shots on target. His main involvement was with his feet. He was a spectator for most of the match. Can't be rated higher with so little to do. But he commanded his area well when needed.

Defenders

Raúl Asencio - 7.0: A very composed and professional performance. He boasted a 94% pass accuracy and won all of his duels. He was strong in the air, winning three of four aerial battles. His only blot was an error leading to a shot, but otherwise, he was rock solid at the back.

Álvaro Carreras - 8.0: The undisputed man of the match. He scored the decisive goal with a well-taken right-footed shot. He was also solid defensively, making five recoveries and winning five duels. He did pick up a yellow card, but his attacking contribution won the game for his team. An outstanding performance.

Dean Huijsen - 7.5: Provided the crucial assist for the winning goal. Defensively, he was a giant, making seven clearances and winning four aerial duels. He was composed on the ball with 90% passing accuracy. A very mature and complete performance from the young defender.

David Jiménez - 6.5: A steady performance before being substituted. He was reliable in possession, with 97% pass accuracy. He even had a shot on target. He didn't do anything spectacular, but he didn't make any mistakes either. A solid shift.

Midfielders

Eduardo Camavinga - 7.0: A bundle of energy in the midfield. He was tenacious, winning six duels and making three tackles. His passing was crisp and forward-thinking, with a 94% accuracy. He did lose the ball a few times, but his dynamism was key to Madrid's control.

Federico Valverde - 7.5: The captain led by example. He was everywhere, controlling the tempo with 73 passes at 92% accuracy. He had a shot on target and created a chance for his teammates. From our perspective, his engine and leadership were crucial in a tight away game.

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 7.5: An absolute wall in front of the defense. He won a remarkable nine out of ten duels. He also made three tackles and recovered the ball three times. He was the anchor that allowed the rest of the team to play. A dominant midfield display.

Arda Güler - 6.5: A busy but slightly inefficient performance. He had 73 touches and recovered the ball eight times. However, he lost possession 17 times and his nine crosses were largely inaccurate. He showed glimpses of his talent but needs to refine his final product.

Forwards

Kylian Mbappé - 7.0: A frustrating outing for the superstar. He had two shots on target that were well-saved. But he also lost possession 20 times and was caught offside twice. He looked dangerous and created two chances, and finally got his goal in the 91st minute of the game.

Gonzalo García - 6.0: He worked hard but struggled to get involved. He had just 26 touches and lost seven of his nine duels. He did create one chance, but was largely on the periphery of the game before being substituted. A tough assignment for the young forward.

Substitutes

Brahim Díaz - 6.0: Came on for Gonzalo García and added some spark, but was caught offside.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6.0: Replaced David Jiménez and slotted in seamlessly at the back.

Franco Mastantuono - N/A: A late substitute to see out the game.

Jorge Cestero - N/A: Another late substitute just to see off the game.

Manager

Á. Arbeloa Coca - 7.0: His team secured a vital away win. They controlled the match and were patient in their build-up. The game plan worked perfectly, culminating in a goal and three points. His management of the game was effective, ensuring his side saw out the narrow victory. A job well done.

Man of the Match

Álvaro Carreras was the undisputed man of the match in this La Liga game.

Worst Performer

Hugo Duro of Valencia was the worst performer in the Valencia vs Real Madrid game.