Real Madrid faced Valencia at Mestalla in a postponed La Liga match and emerged victorious with a thrilling 2-1 comeback. The game, initially delayed due to heavy rain in Valencia, marked a pivotal moment for both teams: Madrid sought the top spot in La Liga, while Valencia, under new manager Carlos Corberán, aimed to avoid relegation trouble.

Madrid dominated possession early but struggled to break down Valencia’s resolute 5-4-1 defense. In the 27th minute, Hugo Duro capitalized on a deflected shot to give Valencia a 1-0 lead. Despite Madrid’s efforts, including Vinícius Jr.’s close chance before halftime, they trailed going into the break amidst a hostile atmosphere from the Mestalla crowd.

The second half saw Madrid intensify their attacks. However, a missed penalty by Jude Bellingham and an offside goal from Kylian Mbappé left them frustrated. Matters worsened when Vinícius Jr. was sent off in the 76th minute after retaliating against Valencia’s goalkeeper.

Despite being a man down, Real Madrid fought back. Luka Modric, at 39 years old, scored the equalizer in the 85th minute, becoming the oldest scorer in the club’s history. In stoppage time, Bellingham redeemed himself by intercepting a loose ball and firing home the winner.

The victory lifted Real Madrid to the top of La Liga with 43 points, two clear of Atletico Madrid. Valencia, despite their resilience, remains in a precarious position near the relegation zone.