Led and manhandled by Valencia for almost the entire match, Real Madrid pulled off an incredible comeback in the final minutes to win 2-1 with a decisive Mbappé. After this crazy match, the Merengue take the…
Football sometimes offers us totally improbable scenarios. This is exactly what happened this Tuesday evening at Mestalla between Valencia and Real Madrid. Trailing 1-0, reduced to 10 against 11 and dominated in all areas of the game until the 85th minute, the Merengue finally achieved the impossible: reversing the situation in the last moments to win 2-1 and take the lead in La Liga.
A Real on the brink of the abyss
For more than 80 minutes, we saw an unrecognizable Real, incapable of developing their game and completely stifled by the overexcited Valencians. Multiplying defensive errors and technical inaccuracies, Carlo Ancelotti’s men foundered in the 65th minute on a goal from Fran Pérez. Madrid’s nightmare took on a new dimension with the exclusion of Vinicius Jr in the 78th minute for a second yellow card.
Mbappé scorer then weaned
In this more than delicate context, Real could count on its number 1 offensive asset: Kylian Mbappé. Quite discreet in the first period, the French striker finally came out of his box after the hour mark. In the 60th minute, with a dazzling acceleration of which he has the secret, Mbappé deceived goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili with a cross shot from the left. But the Bondynois’ joy was short-lived, the goal being ultimately refused for a precise offside. A real blow for Mbappé and Real.
Modric and Bellingham saviors
It is ultimately from the bench that the salvation of the Merengue will come. Entered in the 63rd minute, Luka Modric donned his savior costume in the 85th minute by equalizing with a sumptuous curling shot. Totally transfigured after this goal, Real hit the nail on the head in added time thanks to Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder redeemed himself from his missed penalty by victoriously taking back a cross from Modric (90th + 6). An unexpected outcome for Real!
Real new leader
With this painful success, Real Madrid takes first place in the ranking with 43 points, two more than its runner-up Atlético. A logical leadership position for the reigning European champion, but which was clearly not acquired after 85 nightmare minutes on the Mestalla side. An old adage says that great champions are those who win even when playing poorly. Real proved it once again this Tuesday.
We showed the values of Real Madrid with this turnaround. The matches last 90 minutes, you have to believe in it until the end.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach
A qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League already in hand and now a leading place in La Liga: Real has achieved a flawless performance so far at the start of 2025. For Mbappé and his teammates, all the objectives are still achievable. But the Merengue will have to show a completely different face than that displayed for 85 minutes in Valencia if they want to continue to reign over Europe and Spain.
In this more than delicate context, Real could count on its number 1 offensive asset: Kylian Mbappé. Quite discreet in the first period, the French striker finally came out of his box after the hour mark. In the 60th minute, with a dazzling acceleration of which he has the secret, Mbappé deceived goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili with a cross shot from the left. But the Bondynois’ joy was short-lived, the goal being ultimately refused for a precise offside. A real blow for Mbappé and Real.
Modric and Bellingham saviors
It is ultimately from the bench that the salvation of the Merengue will come. Entered in the 63rd minute, Luka Modric donned his savior costume in the 85th minute by equalizing with a sumptuous curling shot. Totally transfigured after this goal, Real hit the nail on the head in added time thanks to Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder redeemed himself from his missed penalty by victoriously taking back a cross from Modric (90th + 6). An unexpected outcome for Real!
Real new leader
With this painful success, Real Madrid takes first place in the ranking with 43 points, two more than its runner-up Atlético. A logical leadership position for the reigning European champion, but which was clearly not acquired after 85 nightmare minutes on the Mestalla side. An old adage says that great champions are those who win even when playing poorly. Real proved it once again this Tuesday.
We showed the values of Real Madrid with this turnaround. The matches last 90 minutes, you have to believe in it until the end.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach
A qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League already in hand and now a leading place in La Liga: Real has achieved a flawless performance so far at the start of 2025. For Mbappé and his teammates, all the objectives are still achievable. But the Merengue will have to show a completely different face than that displayed for 85 minutes in Valencia if they want to continue to reign over Europe and Spain.
