The LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Valencia erupted into action at the Santiago Bernabéu, with the first 28 minutes of the opening half packed with drama. Kicking off at 11:15 a.m. (Brasília time), Real Madrid, second in the standings with 63 points, aimed to narrow the three-point gap to leaders Barcelona, while Valencia, 16th with 31 points, fights to climb clear of the relegation zone. The game swung wildly: Vini Jr. missed a penalty at the 12th minute, Diakhaby scored for Valencia at the 14th, and at the 20th, the same defender inadvertently headed into his own net—only for Mbappé’s offside position to see the goal chalked off, keeping the score at 1-0.
Early on, the match showcased both sides’ intent. At the 9th minute, Mbappé was fouled by Tárrega in the box, earning Real Madrid a penalty confirmed by VAR. Tárrega saw yellow at the 11th minute, but Vini Jr.’s tame effort at the 12th minute was saved by Mamardashvili’s left leg. Valencia struck back at the 14th minute when Diakhaby headed in a corner, stunning the Bernabéu faithful. The pendulum swung again at the 20th minute: Brahim Díaz’s low cross found Mbappé, whose presence forced Diakhaby to deflect into his own goal, but the linesman flagged Mbappé offside, nullifying the equalizer.
Real Madrid pressed to level the score. At the 16th minute, Mbappé tangled with Tárrega again, pleading for another penalty, but the referee waved play on. By the 18th and 27th minutes, the hosts worked the ball in attack, with Bellingham nearly breaking through at the 27th, only for Mosquera to intervene. Valencia, meanwhile, nearly doubled their lead at the 24th minute when Diakhaby met a corner but sent it wide. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, featuring Fran González, Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Fran García, Modric, Valverde, Bellingham, Brahim Díaz, Mbappé, and Vini Jr., faces a test after a grueling Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad.
Teams take the field
Before the whistle, both sides warmed up at the Santiago Bernabéu, priming for a pivotal encounter. Real Madrid rolled out an attacking lineup, blending Modric’s veteran savvy with Valverde and Bellingham’s vigor in midfield, while Mbappé and Vini Jr. spearhead the front line. The Brazilian star’s presence excites fans, though his penalty miss at the 12th minute drew gasps.
Valencia countered with Mamardashvili, Aarons, Mosquera, Diakhaby, Tárrega, Jesús Vázquez, André Almeida, Barrenechea, Javi Guerra, Diego López, and Umar Sadiq in a defensive setup. Diakhaby’s goal at the 14th minute and his near-miss at the 24th underline their threat from set pieces, despite the own-goal scare at the 20th minute.
Paradón de Mamardashvili ????????????#LALIGAHighlights #ADNVCF
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) April 5, 2025
pic.twitter.com/PpWN2T2sif
Key plays in the first half
The opening 28 minutes delivered thrills. Here are the standout moments:
- 1st minute: Javi Guerra shoots from range for Valencia, but it flies high for a goal kick.
- 9th minute: Mbappé is fouled by Tárrega in the box; VAR grants Real Madrid a penalty.
- 12th minute: Vini Jr.’s penalty goes central, saved by Mamardashvili’s left leg.
- 14th minute: Diakhaby heads in a corner to give Valencia the lead.
- 20th minute: Diakhaby’s own goal off Mbappé’s move is disallowed for offside.
Real Madrid’s push for the top
Sitting on 63 points from 29 matches, Real Madrid boasts 19 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses in LaLiga, holding second place. With Barcelona just three points ahead, every moment counts, and the disallowed own goal at the 20th minute, following Vini Jr.’s miss and Diakhaby’s strike, ramps up the stakes. Fresh off a 4-4 Copa del Rey draw with Real Sociedad, sealed in extra time, the team entered with high hopes at the Bernabéu.
Ancelotti’s lineup signals intent. Fran González guards the net in place of Courtois and Lunin, with Tchouaméni shifted to center-back alongside Rüdiger, and Lucas Vázquez and Fran García on the wings. Modric, Valverde, and Bellingham anchor midfield, while Brahim Díaz adds flair. Mbappé and Vini Jr. lead the attack, but the penalty flub at the 12th minute and the offside call at the 20th minute highlight missed chances.
Valencia’s fightback gains traction
Valencia stumbled through the first half of the season, earning 13 points from 57 possible with two wins in 19 rounds. Now at 31 points with 7 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses, they sit 16th, four points above the drop zone. Diakhaby’s goal at the 14th minute and Mamardashvili’s save at the 12th minute mark progress under Carlos Corberán, even with the own-goal scare at the 20th minute.
Their game plan mixes resilience with opportunism. Javi Guerra’s early shot at the 1st minute hinted at ambition, while Diakhaby’s header at the 14th minute and near miss at the 24th minute show set-piece strength. The offside call sparing them at the 20th minute keeps their lead intact as Real Madrid mounts pressure.
Stars shaping the game
Mbappé drives Real Madrid’s attack, winning the penalty at the 9th minute and sparking the disallowed own goal at the 20th minute with his positioning. Vini Jr.’s miss at the 12th minute stings, though his threat persists. For Valencia, Diakhaby shines and falters—scoring at the 14th minute but nearly costing them at the 20th—while Mamardashvili’s save at the 12th minute holds firm.
Real Madrid’s possession shines at the 4th, 18th, and 27th minutes, with Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez key in creation. Fran González, in goal, couldn’t stop Diakhaby’s header at the 14th minute, exposing a vulnerability. Valencia’s Mosquera thwarting Bellingham at the 27th minute bolsters their stand.
Pressure mounts at the Bernabéu
At the 28th minute, Valencia’s 1-0 lead shocks the Bernabéu faithful. Expecting dominance after the Copa del Rey heroics, fans saw Vini Jr.’s miss, Diakhaby’s goal, and the disallowed own goal shift the tide. Real Madrid, with 63 points, can’t afford a home stumble, while Valencia, at 31 points, digs in for a rare upset.
The hosts’ fightback flickered at the 16th minute with Mbappé’s penalty shout and intensified by the 27th minute with Bellingham’s run. Valencia, buoyed by the offside call at the 20th minute, clings to their edge, leaning on Corberán’s structure as Real Madrid probes.
Tactical ebb and flow
Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 prioritizes control and pace. Modric, Valverde, and Bellingham fuel midfield, with Mbappé and Vini Jr. stretching play. The missed penalty at the 12th minute and disallowed goal at the 20th minute underscore execution lapses, despite Tchouaméni’s defensive role aiding build-up.
Corberán’s 4-5-1 for Valencia banks on discipline. Five midfielders stifle Real Madrid, and Diakhaby’s goal at the 14th minute proves their set-piece edge. Mamardashvili’s save at the 12th minute and Mosquera’s block at the 27th minute keep them ahead, though Mbappé’s runs test their resolve.
Upcoming fixtures on the horizon
This match launches a critical stretch. Here’s what’s next:
- Real Madrid: Faces Arsenal in the Champions League, then back to LaLiga.
- Valencia: Hosts Espanyol, eyeing points against a relegation rival.
- Real Madrid: Meets Barcelona in May, a potential title clash.
- Valencia: Takes on Cádiz in late April, another key survival test.
- Both: Head into LaLiga’s final run with contrasting goals.
Battle rages on
With Valencia up 1-0 at the 28th minute, the game teeters. Mbappé’s offside nixing Diakhaby’s own goal keeps Real Madrid trailing, but their pressure builds, as seen at the 27th minute. Bellingham and Mbappé loom large, while Valencia trusts Mamardashvili and their backline.
The Bernabéu roars for a turnaround. Real Madrid, at 63 points, needs to level to stay in the title hunt, while Valencia, with 31 points, savors a chance to climb. Starting at 11:15 a.m. (Brasília time), the first half still promises more twists.
