MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé scored again as Real Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 on Sunday, winning their seventh straight season in the Spanish league and moving within points of leaders Barcelona.
Mbappé scored from close range early in second-half stoppage time, scoring his ninth goal in six games and sealing Madrid’s victory. Alvaro Carreras scored his second goal for the club in the 65th minute to put Madrid ahead.
“I’m running out of superlatives to describe Kylian,” said Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Madrid were playing in absentia. Vinicius Junior (yellow card suspension) and Jude Bellingham (left hamstring injury).
“We controlled the game well, (goalkeeper Thibaut) Courtois didn’t have to make any saves and it was a solid performance from our players,” Arbelois said.
Madrid’s last loss in the league was at home to Celta Vigo in December.
Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 They play at home on Saturday and will aim for their 17th win in their last 18 official games.
After the final whistle, Valencia fans jeered at their team. They sit in 17th place, just outside the relegation zone.
Betis’ Revenge
Three days after losing 5-0 at home to Atlético in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, fifth-place Real Betis defeated third-place Atlético Madrid 1-0.
Anthony scored the winning goal against Betis on Sunday, giving his team their second consecutive league win. Atlético, coached by Diego Simeone, have won only one of their last three games in all competitions.
Stuani saves penalty
Sevilla and Girona drew 1-1 and the match was rescheduled to Sunday due to bad weather. Girona striker Cristian Stuani entered the match only to take a penalty in the closing stages, but was unable to convert the shot.
The match is Scheduled to play on Saturday However, the league postponed the match for a day after severe storm warnings were issued for the southern city of Seville.
Girona took the lead in the second minute with a goal from Thomas Lemar. The hosts finally leveled the score two minutes into stoppage time when Quique Salas fired a long-range shot into the top corner of the goal.
Six minutes later, Girona missed a chance to make a comeback when Stuani was denied a shot from the penalty spot.
Girona coach Michel introduced Stuani into the match after a penalty was awarded, and the veteran Uruguayan fired a low shot that was saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Odyseas Blahodimos.
“If someone has to take the chance to take the penalty, it’s always Stuani,” Michel said.
Spanish media reported that this is the first time in three years that Stuani has missed a penalty kick in a league match.
As a result, Girona are now in 12th place, one point behind Sevilla in 13th place. Girona are without a win in three consecutive league games.
Rayo Vallecano’s home match against Oviedo on Saturday was postponed at short notice due to safety concerns on the field at Vallecas Stadium.
Other results
In this match, Athletic Bilbao scored four goals after 80 minutes to beat 10-a-side Levante 4-2.
Athletic held a two-goal lead at half-time, but Levante caught up in the 81st minute and the hosts made it 3-1 in the 86th minute. Levante scored again in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and Athletic extended their lead in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Levante, penultimate in the table, played one place down from 17th place after Alan Matturo was sent off with a red card.
Athletic, who are in 10th place, have not won in six consecutive league games since their last match against Atlético Madrid in December.
11th place Getafe defeated 14th place Alaves 2-0, ending a nine-game winless streak in official games.
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