WATCH: Carreras nets as Real Madrid score opener vs Valencia

Real Madrid need a win to keep on Barcelona’s tail in the La Liga title race, and they are on course for a big three points after taking the lead against Valencia at Mestalla.

It has been a poor performance from Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who have posed little threat to the hosts. Despite this, a moment of quality has allowed them to break the deadlock, with Alvaro Carreras finding the back of the net after a fine solo run.

🚨🚨| GOAL: ALVARO CARRERAS GIVES MADRID THE LEAD!!

Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid

pic.twitter.com/HljnQaUk2w

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) February 8, 2026

Álvaro Carreras breaks the deadlock! 🙌

The left-back takes matters into his own hands and fires Real Madrid ahead ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/UyZ9PQkb09

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 8, 2026

Álvaro Carreras glides through Valencia’s defense and scores for Real Madrid!

A left back moving like that 😨 pic.twitter.com/q9VJFnLHxs

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 8, 2026

It’s an excellent goal from Carreras, who skipped away from a couple of challenges before slotting in at the near post. He scored in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu, and as things stand, he would be the match-winner in this one.

It is no surprise that Real Madrid have struggled against Valencia in an attacking sense, given that Vinicius Junior (suspended) and Rodrygo Goes (injured) are unavailable. Despite this, they lead with less than 30 minutes to go.