Mbappé shines with near hat-trick in 4 minutes during Real Madrid vs. Valencia La Liga clash

This Saturday morning, April 5, the Santiago Bernabéu is buzzing as Real Madrid face Valencia in the 30th round of the 2024/25 La Liga season. With the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors by the 37th minute of the first half, the match has been defined by the relentless intensity of the home side’s attack, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé. In a span of just four minutes, the French star came agonizingly close to turning the game around with three moments of brilliance, constantly threatening Valencia’s defense. Despite the pressure, Real Madrid still chase an equalizer, while Valencia cling to their lead, courtesy of Diakhaby’s early strike.

Real Madrid, sitting second in the league with 63 points, took to the pitch aware that every point counts in their title race against table-topping Barcelona. Kicking off at 11:15 a.m. Brasília time, the home side has dominated possession, holding 66% of the ball by the 33rd minute, weaving passes and probing for gaps in Valencia’s backline. Mbappé, the standout in attack, has been thwarted by the post, a stunning save from goalkeeper Mamardashvili, and a shot off target, keeping the scoreline intact. Meanwhile, Valencia, languishing in 16th place with 31 points, are battling to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Valencia, however, stunned the Bernabéu crowd by taking the lead at the 14-minute mark, when Diakhaby rose above the Real Madrid defense to head in from a corner. The visitors, fielding Mamardashvili in goal alongside defenders Aarons, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Tárrega, and Jesús Vázquez, have shown resilience. Sitting just four points above Leganés, the first team in the drop zone, Valencia see their defensive grit as a chance to secure a rare upset against the Spanish giants.

⚽ ¡Rueda el balón en el Bernabéu!
▶️ @RealMadrid ???? @valenciacf pic.twitter.com/ePyz0jkEai

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 5, 2025

Merengue pressure at the Bernabéu

From the opening whistle, Real Madrid seized control, dictating play in the attacking third. By the 4th minute, Lucas Vázquez slipped a ball through to Mbappé, who misfired, with the move ruled offside. Coached by Carlo Ancelotti, the home side signaled their intent to rely on the pace of their forwards to break Valencia’s resistance. Vini Jr., another key figure in attack, had a golden opportunity at the 12th minute but fluffed a penalty that could have shifted the game’s momentum.

At the 9th minute, Mbappé was brought down in the box by Tárrega, who earned a yellow card. Vini Jr. stepped up for the penalty but struck it near the center, allowing Mamardashvili to parry it away with his left leg, much to the dismay of the Bernabéu faithful. The miss underscored Real Madrid’s struggle to convert their dominance into goals. By the 18th minute, the team continued to work the ball in the attacking zone, though their finishing lacked precision.

Valencia capitalized on one of their rare chances. At the 14th minute, Diakhaby met a corner kick with a powerful header, beating the Real Madrid defense to silence the stadium. The goal boosted the visitors’ confidence, prompting them to dig in deeper and frustrate their hosts. At the 24th minute, Diakhaby nearly scored again, glancing a header wide from another set piece.

Decisive minutes with Mbappé in the spotlight

Between the 33rd and 37th minutes, the game reached a fever pitch thanks to Mbappé’s heroics. At the 33rd minute, he collected the ball on the left flank, shifted it expertly, and unleashed a fierce shot that whistled just past the post, rattling Valencia’s defense. Two minutes later, at the 35th, he linked up with Brahim Díaz at the edge of the box and fired a curling effort, forcing Mamardashvili into a spectacular save.

Then, at the 36th minute, following a corner, Tchouaméni nodded the ball down, and Mbappé pounced in the six-yard box, smashing a shot that crashed against the crossbar. In a mere four-minute window, the French forward nearly bagged three stunning goals, underlining his status as Real Madrid’s talisman. The flurry of chances reignited the home side’s push, as they hunt for a leveler before halftime.

Key moments up to the 37th minute

• At 9 minutes: Mbappé wins a penalty after a foul by Tárrega, but Vini Jr.’s central strike is saved by Mamardashvili.
• At 14 minutes: Diakhaby heads Valencia into the lead from a corner, catching Real Madrid’s defense off guard.
• At 33 minutes: Mbappé cuts in from the left and shoots narrowly wide, threatening the Valencia goal.
• At 35 minutes: After a one-two with Brahim Díaz, Mbappé’s shot is brilliantly stopped by Mamardashvili.
• At 36 minutes: Mbappé strikes the bar from close range after Tchouaméni’s header off a corner.

Valencia stands firm

Despite Real Madrid’s onslaught, Valencia have held their ground. The visitors, who arrived at the Bernabéu with an inconsistent La Liga campaign, boast a disciplined defense. Mamardashvili has been pivotal, making at least two critical saves, while the center-back pairing of Mosquera and Diakhaby has stood tall. At the 27th minute, Bellingham burst into the box, only for Mosquera to snuff out the danger.

Valencia started with intent, as Javi Guerra fired a long-range effort in the 1st minute, though it sailed high. Since then, their approach has shifted to caution, leaning on counterattacks and set pieces. Diakhaby’s goal at the 14th minute epitomized this tactic, and they now aim to protect their lead until the break. At the 20th minute, Diakhaby inadvertently turned a Brahim Díaz cross into his own net, but Mbappé’s offside position spared Valencia’s blushes.

Possession stats at the 33rd minute—66% for Real Madrid, 34% for Valencia—highlight the home side’s control. Yet, Valencia’s clinical edge in their lone clear chance contrasts with Real Madrid’s wastefulness. The visitors’ resolve remains intact as they weather the storm.

What’s at stake in the Bernabéu

For Real Madrid, every point is vital in their pursuit of the La Liga crown. With 63 points, they trail Barcelona by three, with the leaders playing later today. A win over Valencia is non-negotiable to keep pace and pile pressure on their rivals, while also serving as a tune-up for their Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal on Tuesday, April 8.

Valencia, meanwhile, are mired in a tough season. Their 31 points place them 16th, a mere four points clear of the relegation zone. Even a draw against Real Madrid could provide a lifeline in their fight to stay up. The team has yet to win away in La Liga this term, making their task at the Bernabéu monumental.

Real Madrid’s lineup features Lunin in goal, a backline of Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, and Fran García, midfielders Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Bellingham, and forwards Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vini Jr. Valencia counter with Mamardashvili, Aarons, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Tárrega, Jesús Vázquez, André Almeida, Barrenechea, Javi Guerra, Diego López, and Umar Sadiq.

Upcoming fixtures schedule

This Saturday’s clash is just one chapter in the La Liga run-in. Here’s what lies ahead for both teams:

• Real Madrid: April 8, away at Arsenal in the Champions League; April 13, at Alavés in La Liga.
• Valencia: April 13, home vs. Real Sociedad; April 20, at Villarreal in La Liga.
• Real Madrid: April 20, home vs. Athletic Bilbao; April 23, at Getafe.
• Valencia: April 23, home vs. Osasuna; May 4, at Barcelona.

Standout performers in focus

Mbappé’s pace and flair have made him the game’s focal point. The Frenchman, a summer arrival at Real Madrid, has dazzled with his near-misses between the 33rd and 36th minutes, though he’s yet to find the net. Vini Jr., despite his penalty miss, remains a livewire on the left flank.

For Valencia, Mamardashvili has been a rock, thwarting Vini Jr.’s penalty at the 12th minute and Mbappé’s effort at the 35th. Diakhaby, with his goal and defensive nous, has also shone, particularly in aerial duels. As the 37th minute ticks by, Real Madrid keep pushing, led by Mbappé, while Valencia dig in to preserve their 1-0 edge. The first half isn’t over, and more drama awaits before the whistle.