Real Madrid finally break the Mestalla curse

For more than a decade, Mestalla had been a cursed stadium for Real Madrid. A venue where, regardless of context, form, names or momentum, something always went wrong. That story is now over. With a 0-2 win over Valencia, the white side ended a drought that dated back to December 2009, the last time they managed to win two consecutive matches at the home of the Che side.

It was not a brilliant night nor a footballing exhibition, but it was one of those victories that matter in both the standings and the mind. Based on how the match unfolded, Madrid understood that the challenge was not only about collecting three points, but about tearing down a psychological barrier that had shaped far too many visits to Valencia.

From Kaká and Higuaín to Mbappé: 15 years of frustration

To find the last time Real Madrid managed back-to-back wins at Mestalla, one must travel to another era. A different kind of football, different protagonists and a different context. With Manuel Pellegrini and later José Mourinho on the bench, Madrid prevailed in 2009 and 2011 with memorable performances from Gonzalo Higuaín and Kaká, matches that still echo in the club’s collective memory.

Since then, Mestalla became a hostile, almost impregnable ground. Even when Valencia were struggling, they always seemed to raise their level against Madrid. That negative run piled up visit after visit… until now. This latest win not only ends the streak, but also reconnects the club with a sense of authority that had long been missing at this stadium.

Carreras opens the door and Mbappé seals the curse

The match was tense, tight and with very few concessions. Without Vinicius, Rodrygo or Bellingham, Álvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid opted for a more physical than creative approach, trusting in the leadership of Kylian Mbappé and collective effort. After a sluggish first half, the game changed after the break.

An individual move by Álvaro Carreras, somewhat fortunate but decisive, broke the deadlock and forced Valencia to push higher up the pitch. Space appeared. Deep into stoppage time, Mbappé, true to his instincts, finished the job and confirmed that Real Madrid know how to suffer… and strike when it hurts the most.

Three points worth more than a victory

The 0-2 result not only keeps Real Madrid one point off the top and extends their positive run in LaLiga. It also shows that even far from their best version, this team competes. And when the calendar tightens, that can make all the difference.

On the other side, Valencia sink deeper into crisis. Mestalla once again turned against head coach Guillem Corberán, reflecting the frustration of a weary fanbase. According to what was experienced inside the stadium, the contrast could not have been clearer: one team breaking curses, another drowning in doubt.

For Real Madrid, the night in Valencia was more than just a win. It was the end of a spell that had lasted more than 15 years.

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