Overview
- Real Madrid routed Valencia 4-0 at the Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice — including a penalty — and Jude Bellingham and Álvaro Carreras adding goals.
- Xabi Alonso selected a strong lineup ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Liverpool and said Mbappé remains first-choice from the spot after Vinícius Júnior missed a separate penalty.
- Barcelona responded with a 3-1 win over Elche at Montjuïc through Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford, climbing back to second and cutting the deficit to five points.
- Barcelona’s defensive issues persisted with a sixth consecutive league game without a clean sheet, though Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo returned from injury as second-half substitutes.
- Villarreal’s 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano briefly lifted them above Barcelona, while struggling Valencia are winless in six league matches and sit 18th.