Real Madrid scored a dramatic victory at the Mestalla after falling behind following a goal from Hugo Duro, which came after Vinícius was sent off for violent behavior towards Dimitrievski. However, they managed to turn things around thanks to goals from Modric and Bellingham.
In added time and reduced to ten men, Real Madrid started the year with a comeback against an impressive Valencia team. They produced a first half marred by a missed Bellingham penalty, a Mbappé goal disallowed, and the expulsion of Vinícius for an incident involving Dimitrievski. The match changed with Modric’s goal when they were playing with ten men, followed by a decisive goal from Bellingham in the 96th minute. The Merengues’ performance raised doubts, while the defeat seemed severe for a quality Valencia.
New coach Carlos Corberán injected energy into his players, while Real Madrid showed their usual character. Valencia looks promising if he continues on this path. They demonstrated an excellent first half and a resilience that allowed them to remain competitive in the second. Madrid looked disunited, lacking attitude and quality of play during the first hour, with vulnerability in defense. But they showed their character, under the leadership of Modric, and saved the victory thanks to Bellingham. The latter, despite a lackluster performance, found the net again, while Valencia felt the pressure to equalize, coming close to scoring with Luis Rioja’s shot hitting the post in the 100th minute.
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In the first half, it almost looked like Ancelotti was the new coach and that Carlos Corberán had been working with Valencia for months. Rubén Baraja’s successor quickly provided tactical and mental tools to rebuild a team struggling on and off the pitch. Outside the Mestalla, protests against Peter Lim took place, accompanied by police charges, but none of this distracted from the action on the pitch. Valencia approached the encounter with intensity and determination, displaying a bold performance that suggested unity and sacrifice.
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Valencia opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark in a controlled first half. They were unrecognizable from previous matches thanks to their strong performance. They seemed more ‘on the ball’ than Real Madrid, playing boldly in attack, while boasting quick passing, direct action and a solid defensive shape that strangled Madrid’s attackers.
Valencia struck first with Hugo Duro’s goal, who scored into an empty net after a Courtois save from a Javi Guerra shot. Lucas Vázquez failed to score Duro. It was a quick action, characteristic of Valencia’s aggressive and courageous start to the match. Real Madrid voiced complaints about a foul committed by Yarek on Rodrygo earlier in the build-up to the goal.
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This goal rewarded the team who worked better on the pitch, both with and without the ball. Courtois was forced to make three decisive saves against attempts from Hugo Duro, Almeida and Foulquier. Valencia created more dangers and had clearer chances, engaging a seemingly harmless Real Madrid. Madrid’s only notable threats came from a powerful shot from Fede Valverde, saved by Dimitrievski. Neither Vinícius, closely watched by Tárrega, nor Mbappé and Rodrygo managed to break through the organized and intense pattern established by Corberán.
Valencia played with more spirit, solidarity and challenge than Real Madrid who struggled to find their rhythm and edge. Only the shots of Fede Valverde and Vinícius caused concern. Bellingham was passive and disconnected. After Duro’s goal, Valencia tightened their defensive lines and maintained their collective energy and commitment, suffocating Ancelotti’s men. The first half ended with an impeccable performance from Valencia and a one-on-one opportunity for Vinícius against Dimitrievski which the goalkeeper won.
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Valencia’s plan in the second half was to make life difficult for Real Madrid. Foulquier was like glue on Bellingham, having been well studied by Corberán. Preventing the Englishman from coming forward was part of the strategy to annihilate Madrid’s reaction. The locals struggled to maintain continuity in their game, even if they showed a better attitude.
Real Madrid found their breakthrough thanks to a ball recovery orchestrated by Vinícius, leading to a penalty after Mbappé was fouled by Tárrega. The referee, Soto Grado, pointed to the penalty spot. Mbappé was on the ground in pain while Bellingham stepped forward to take the penalty. It was his responsibility after the Frenchman’s missed chances at Liverpool and Bilbao. Bellingham, however, hit the ball against the post. Madrid’s penalty problems remain worrying and aberrant.
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Madrid remained resolute and created the best combination: Vinícius to Bellingham and back to Mbappé. The blitz ended with a goal from Mbappé, but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. The Frenchman’s knee was millimeters forward, according to the semi-automatic examination. Real Madrid initially struggled to find their rhythm, but gradually became more electric, incisive, and began to put pressure on. They began to pile up the chances, including a late header from Rodrygo which went over. Ancelotti replaced Rodrygo and Mendy with Brahim Díaz and Camavinga in an attempt to add more energy with twenty minutes remaining.
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The encounter played out in Valencia’s half, their strong block working hard to regain possession while displaying extraordinary resilience to defend their well-deserved lead. In the melee, Vinícius was sent off for violent behavior after pushing Dimitrievski’s neck. The referee consulted the monitor to review the off-the-ball incident and gave the Brazilian a red card. A costly lack of self-control for Vinícius, who found himself in a difficult situation and was unable to finish the match. Modric replaced Ceballos in the dying moments and took his chance, scoring in a one-on-one with the keeper to salvage a point, but that didn’t stop the chaos that unfolded.
