Real Madrid Beat Valencia 3-0 as Spanish Football Pays Tribute to Jesús de Miguel

Key points

1. Real Madrid defeated Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla on November 7, 2026, in LaLiga Matchday 12.
2. Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Arda Güler doubled the lead in the 36th and Kylian Mbappé completed the win in the 75th.
3. The ninth minute was marked by a tribute to Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died after a collision with Andorra’s goalkeeper during a second-division match.
4. The match was briefly paused as players and supporters observed the tribute.
5. Real Madrid moved level on 30 points with LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who remained top on goal difference and had a game in hand.
6. Valencia captain José Gayà was sent off in the 79th minute for a foul on Mbappé.
7. Valencia remained 19th with nine points after 12 league matches, according to Reuters.
8. Real Madrid moved level on points with LaLiga leaders Barcelona after beating Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla on Saturday, November 7. Federico Valverde, Arda Güler and Kylian Mbappé scored in a match that also carried an emotional moment, as players and supporters paused in the ninth minute to honour Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died following an on-field collision in Spain’s second division.

The tribute took place nine minutes into the game, reflecting De Miguel’s number nine shirt. He died on Tuesday after suffering a serious injury in a collision with Andorra’s goalkeeper during a match earlier in the week. The incident prompted tributes across Spanish football, with matches observing a pause in his memory.

Valverde and Güler put Madrid in control

Real Madrid began with control of possession, but Valencia created an early opportunity through Aaron Mayol, whose effort from outside the area tested Thibaut Courtois. The visitors then took the lead in the 28th minute. Kylian Mbappé’s free-kick was blocked by the wall, and Federico Valverde reacted to the rebound with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.

Madrid doubled the advantage eight minutes later. Jude Bellingham’s delivery found its way into the area, where Arda Güler finished from close range to make it 2-0. Güler remained a threat and forced another save from Stole Dimitrievski before the interval, while Valencia struggled to turn promising spells into clear chances.

Mbappé seals the result as Gayà sees red

Valencia attempted to respond after the break, but Madrid continued to create the better openings. Courtois denied a Valencia attempt from Arnaut Danjuma, while Dimitrievski kept out a shot from Bellingham at the other end.

The decisive third goal arrived in the 75th minute. Güler played Mbappé through on goal, and the forward rounded Dimitrievski before finishing to make it 3-0. The goal continued Mbappé’s scoring run: Real Madrid’s official match report said he had scored in his seventh consecutive appearance.

Valencia’s task became harder four minutes later when captain José Gayà was shown a red card for a foul on Mbappé, who was breaking forward. The dismissal left the hosts with ten players for the closing stages and added to a difficult evening for the home side.

Tribute to Jesús de Miguel gives the match wider significance

The ninth-minute pause was the most poignant moment of the evening. De Miguel, a Tenerife striker, died after a collision with Andorra’s goalkeeper during a Spanish second-division fixture. The tribute at Mestalla formed part of a wider show of remembrance across Spanish football.

According to reports, the incident occurred during a match earlier in the week, and De Miguel died on Tuesday. The stoppage allowed players and supporters to pay their respects before the match resumed. The tragedy cast a sombre backdrop over a fixture otherwise defined by Madrid’s control and three-goal victory.

Madrid close the gap while Valencia remain in trouble

The result gave Real Madrid 30 points, drawing them level with Barcelona at the top of the table. Barcelona remained first on goal difference and had a game in hand at the time of the report. Madrid’s victory was their eighth consecutive win across LaLiga and the Champions League, underlining their strong run heading into the international break.

Valencia, by contrast, remained second-bottom in 19th place with nine points after 12 matches. Reuters reported that the club had recorded only two wins in the league and had yet to win at home this season. The defeat leaves Valencia needing a response as they attempt to move away from the relegation zone.

For Real Madrid, the three points maintained pressure on Barcelona in the title race. But the match will also be remembered for the collective tribute to De Miguel, whose death brought Spanish football together in a moment of remembrance.