Real Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona following a convincing victory over struggling Valencia.

Captain Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a powerful low strike from 20 yards after Kylian Mbappe’s free-kick rebounded off the defensive wall.

The visitors doubled their lead eight minutes later when Arda Guler converted from close range, volleying home after Jude Bellingham’s cutback fell kindly into his path.

Real Madrid maintained their dominance after the break, with Guler turning provider in the 75th minute as he set up Mbappe, who rounded the goalkeeper before finding the net for his 13th league goal of the season.

Valencia’s difficult evening worsened when captain Jose Gaya received a red card for bringing down Mbappe as the forward raced towards goal.

The victory marked Real Madrid’s fourth consecutive league win, leaving them level on points with Barcelona, with only goal difference separating the two sides. Barcelona could restore their three-point advantage when they face third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Valencia remain 19th on the table, one point away from safety, following their seventh defeat in 12 league matches.

The encounter was briefly paused in the ninth minute to honour Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after sustaining a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match. Players and supporters observed a minute’s applause in his memory.