Sports · 9 February 2026
Madrid Make It Count: Carreras Spark, Mbappé Finish — Player Ratings From Mestalla
Photo by Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Valencia combined tactical grit with key individual moments, as Álvaro Carreras starred with a dynamic two-way showing and the opener, while Kylian Mbappé sealed victory late despite a subdued overall night. Solid defensive work and midfield control from Aurélien Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Camavinga underpinned the result, while Güler offered creative balance. A quiet night for Courtois reflected Valencia’s limited threat, and strategic subs like Alexander-Arnold added fresh composure off the bench. 
Reported by Managing Madrid · How we write briefs