Valencia-Real Madrid is a game that carries the pressure and expectations of both sides, and has seen classic matches over the years. These two teams have faced each other in many amazing La Liga contests and even in the Champions League final, but the latest fixture was not one for the history books.
A bad atmosphere at the Mestalla greeted both teams, with two coaches in similar but different situations at their clubs. Both Valencia and Real Madrid have had bad seasons, but such is Peter Lim’s ownership of Valencia that this almost feels normal now. While Carlos Corberan is trying to keep Valencia in the top flight, Alvaro Arbeola is trying to win it. Real Madrid’s failure in the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League did not translate to their results in La Liga, although Los Blancos failed to shake off the many, many questions about their performance levels, and their display at the Mestalla did little to offer signs of encouragement.
#ValenciaCF 📹🦇 Gourlay: “Confío plemena en Carlos Corberán, va a seguir” pic.twitter.com/CVLkUJNHjT
– Superdeporte (@superdeporte_es) February 5, 2026
Valencia come into the match after their last-minute exit from the Copa Del Rey five days ago. Inaki Williams silenced Mestalla and ended up not paying attention, but the noise showed that the fans were still going to fight against the club that had abused them many times. Corberan’s name was whistled by most of the stadium before the match started, but his team, commonly referred to as ‘mercenarios’. [mercernaries] by their fans, they actually fought in the first half.
Lucas Beltran was once again Valencia’s most impressive player, his fitness and clever passing proving useful as he moved into midfield from his second striker position. A few corners were won, and this inspired some noise from the Curva Nord. Real Madrid were passive in midfield, and gave very little, Arbeola’s 4-4-2 attempt failed, feeling the absence of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
Valencia did not take advantage of this absence. Last week, they were defeated by a weak Real Betis, a revolving Athletic Club, and now they have failed to pose any attacking threat against a vulnerable Real Madrid. Alvaro Carreras has been a shining light in Real Madrid’s frustrating campaign, and it was the full-back who opened the scoring, cutting inside and throwing past several Valencia defenders before finding the bottom corner.
The January signing of Unai Nunez gave Valencia a much stronger base for most of the game, but their defense looked a little off as Carreras showed them exactly the kind of creativity their team has lacked for years. Rather than respond with more force, Valencia retreated into their shells. Beltran was the only one driving Los Che forward, and their best chance came as his first-time effort clipped the outside of the post.
Corberan have been accused of late turnovers, and the sight of Umar Sadiq in the 82nd minute should have been a boost for the fans.
However, this may have been the coach’s last nail. No one could believe what they were seeing as the fourth official’s board went up, and Beltran’s number appeared. Mestalla had fallen well after going back, but this no longer mattered; this was pure rage.
“Corberan, clear,” was the shout from large parts of the 47,000 fans present, including the majority of Fondo Nord. The white handkerchiefs were out, and this sounded like a possible change in his future, less than a week after General Manager Ron Gourlay said he had complete faith in Corberan as the leader of their project.
Y Mestalla, tras los cambios sinsentido del entrenador, parece que despertó timidamente y sonó #CorberánDimision 🦇 pic.twitter.com/8unXrhGnOz
– Espavilem🏟️💯🦇 (@navi2004vcf) February 8, 2026
Frustration with Corberan had been building for months, but this one decision felt like the point of no return for him. The board and Lim were also in control, as they always have been, but Mestalla’s brutal anger at their boss highlights the chaos they have become.
Kylian Mbappe then sealed the victory for Real Madrid, with a little defense that allowed him all the time in the box. Although it was far from a top performance, grabbing three points with little controversy in a stadium where Real Madrid have dropped so many points in the past, with several players absent, was a good move for Arbeola and his team.
