LaLiga race heats up as Real Madrid draw level with Barcelona

Real Madrid moved level with Barcelona on 30 points after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Valencia. Atletico Madrid could shake up the LaLiga title race when they face Barcelona on Sunday.Kylian Mbappe on target as Real Madrid draw level with Barcelona. (Reuters Photo)New Delhi,Nov 8, 2026 08:44 ISTReal Madrid are breathing down Barcelona's neck in the LaLiga title race after cruising to a 3-0 win over Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday, November 7. Jose Mourinho's side moved level with their arch-rivals on 30 points, although Barcelona remain top of the table on goal difference and have a game in hand.Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in their next match on Sunday, November 8, in a potentially crucial fixture for the title race. Atletico, currently third with 28 points, could leapfrog both their rivals with a victory, making the pressure on Barcelona even greater.Real, meanwhile, have now registered eight consecutive victories across competitions, building on their impressive El Clasico win at the Camp Nou two weeks ago. Federico Valverde, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe were on target as the visitors produced another assured performance.GULER, MBAPPE SHINEWith Vinicius Jr serving the final match of his four-game suspension, Mourinho once again deployed Yan Diomande alongside Mbappe in attack. Guler, Jude Bellingham and Bernardo Silva featured in the attacking midfield positions, while captain Valverde continued at right-back. Real Madrid took control of the contest midway through the first half. Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute, reacting to a rebound after Mbappe's free-kick was deflected by the Valencia defence. The Uruguayan midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, finding the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.The advantage was doubled just eight minutes later. Bellingham's delivery from the right found Guler inside the penalty area, with the Turkish midfielder finishing first-time from close range to put Real in a commanding position before half-time. Valencia struggled to contain the visitors and frequently resorted to physical challenges to disrupt their attacking rhythm. However, Real continued to create opportunities and eventually found their third goal in the 75th minute.Guler turned provider this time, setting up Mbappe with a clever pass inside the box. The French forward rounded the advancing goalkeeper before calmly tapping the ball into an empty net.The evening got worse for Valencia five minutes later when captain Jose Gaya was sent off for a foul on Mbappe, who was breaking towards goal. The hosts were reduced to 10 men as Real comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.VALENCIA'S HOME STRUGGLES CONTINUEThe defeat leaves Valencia in the relegation zone, second-bottom in the LaLiga standings with just nine points from 12 matches. They have managed only two victories in the league this season and are yet to win a home match.Real Madrid, on the other hand, will head into the international break with momentum firmly on their side. Their eighth consecutive victory has put them level with Barcelona, leaving Sunday's meeting between the Catalans and Atletico Madrid with significant implications for the top of the table.- Ends