LaLiga, Round 11
Date/Time: Saturday, 1 November 2025 — 21:00 CET (4:00 p.m. ET)
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Referee: Mateo Busquets (ESP)
Attendance: 74,796
Weather: Cool autumn evening in Madrid; crisp, clear conditions ideal for a high-tempo game.
The short of it
Real Madrid delivered a clinical, top-of-the-table performance to sweep aside Valencia 4–0 at the Bernabéu. Kylian Mbappé struck twice before the half-hour, Jude Bellingham added a thunderbolt before the break, and Álvaro Carreras iced it late with a spectacular first senior goal. Valencia battled but never truly disrupted Madrid’s rhythm on a night that underlined Xabi Alonso’s side as the benchmark in LaLiga.
How it happened (minute-by-minute highlights)
- 19’ | 1–0 (Mbappé, pen.)
VAR spotted a handball from César Tárrega after Militão’s flick at a corner. Mbappé paused, sent Agirrezabala the wrong way, and buried from the spot. - 31’ | 2–0 (Mbappé, Güler assist)
Bellingham split lines, Güler floated a delicate cross to the back post, and Mbappé guided a cushioned volley home. Two chances, two finishes: ruthless. - 44’ | 3–0 (Bellingham, Valverde assist)
Moments after Vinícius had a penalty saved, Bellingham cut across the top of the box and lashed a low drive into the far corner. The Bernabéu roared; Madrid were cruising. - 82’ | 4–0 (Carreras)
The left-back picked up a loose ball near the angle, shaped his body, and rocketed a finish into the top corner. A first senior Madrid goal to remember.
Penalty drama (43’): Vinícius took Madrid’s second spot-kick but went down the middle; Agirrezabala stood tall and saved, then denied Güler on the rebound.
Tactical snapshot
- Madrid’s press & rest defense:
With Valverde deputising at right-back, Madrid formed a compact 3+2 in build-up and closed Valencia’s counters at source. Tchouaméni patrolled the cut-backs; Militão attacked first balls; Huijsen handled depth. - Left-side overloads:
Carreras, Bellingham, and Vinícius repeatedly drew Valencia to one flank, freeing Güler to deliver from the far side—precisely how the second goal was fashioned. - Valencia’s struggle in transition:
Corberán’s side defended their box gamely but couldn’t connect the first pass after regain. When they did, Courtois and the back line kept the xG to scraps.
Starting XIs
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Courtois; Valverde (C), Militão, Huijsen (67’ Asencio), Carreras; Tchouaméni (HT Camavinga), Bellingham, Güler (HT Ceballos); Mastantuono, Mbappé (79’ Endrick), Vinícius Júnior (79’ Rodrygo).
Valencia (4-4-2):
Agirrezabala; Thierry Correia (55’ Jesús Vázquez), Tárrega, Copete (55’ Cömert), Gayà (C); Rioja (55’ Hugo Duro), Pepelu (87’ Javi Guerra), Santamaría, Diego López; Beltrán (HT André Almeida), Danjuma.
Substitutions & key bookings
Real Madrid
- 46’ Ceballos ↔ Güler
- 46’ Camavinga ↔ Tchouaméni
- 67’ Asencio ↔ Huijsen
- 79’ Rodrygo ↔ Vinícius Júnior
- 79’ Endrick ↔ Mbappé
Booked: Tchouaméni 36’
Valencia
- HT André Almeida ↔ Beltrán
- 55’ Jesús Vázquez ↔ Thierry Correia
- 55’ Cömert ↔ Diego López
- 55’ Hugo Duro ↔ Rioja
- 87’ Javi Guerra ↔ Pepelu
Booked: Javi Guerra 88’
Match stats (selected)
- xG: Real Madrid 2.80 — Valencia 0.47
- Possession: 65% — 35%
- Total shots: 21 — 4
- Corners: Madrid forced sustained pressure; multiple first-half corners set tone.
Player focus
- Kylian Mbappé — 9/10:
A penalty with poise and a technician’s volley. Movement between lines dragged Valencia’s centre-backs where they didn’t want to go. - Jude Bellingham — 9/10:
Tempo setter, space finder, scorer. The strike for 3–0 encapsulated his authority. - Álvaro Carreras — 8.5/10:
Progressive, brave, decisive in both boxes—and a wonder strike to seal it. - Thibaut Courtois — 7+/10:
Not overworked, but everything he faced looked routine because of his positioning.
Reporter’s verdict
This was as professional as it gets: intensity from minute one, verticality when spaces appeared, control when they didn’t. Alonso rotated smartly without dulling the blade. With Europe looming next week, Madrid protected legs, banked points, and kept the Bernabéu purring.
Man of the Match: Kylian Mbappé (brace, total control of Madrid’s front line)
Honourable mentions: Jude Bellingham, Álvaro Carreras
What it means
Madrid extend their lead at the summit and add another clean sheet to an already imposing domestic resume. Valencia’s away woes continue; their Cup flourish midweek didn’t translate under league pressure.
Next up:
- Real Madrid: Liverpool (away) in the Champions League, then Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.
- Valencia: Real Betis at Mestalla before the break.
On nights like this, the scoreboard tells the story—Madrid look every inch a champion in the making.