La Liga 2026/27 Matchday 12 Recap: Valencia vs Real Madrid 0-3, Barcelona Beat Atlético to Stay Top

Valencia vs Real Madrid: Federico Valverde celebrates his opening goal with Dean Huijsen and Arda Güler at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia.

That result matters more than one weekend. Atlético's seven-game league winning run is over, Barça are three points clear, and my Real Madrid, who won 3-0 at Valencia, are the team sitting in between. Can Madrid catch Barcelona after the break? I have an answer at the bottom.

Atlético 1-2 Barcelona: Fermín Ruins the Party

Diego Simeone's Atlético started like a team that wanted the top spot badly. Joan García had to save a one-on-one from Julián Álvarez early, and Giuliano Simeone gave Atlético the lead.

Then Hansi Flick's Barça found their feet. Just before half-time, Fermín equalised with a left-footer to the far post. On 66, Lamine Yamal slid a through ball between the lines and Fermín finished it first time. Álvarez missed two big chances, and 69,788 people went home quiet.

Barça go into the break on 33 points. Atlético drop to third on 28, and they also lost 2-0 at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek. Not a good week to be a Rojiblanco.

Valencia vs Real Madrid 0-3: Güler Takes Charge

Over at Mestalla, José Mourinho went with the same eleven that won the Clásico at Camp Nou. Thibaut Courtois came back in goal for Andriy Lunin, Aurélien Tchouaméni returned after being rested in Athens, and Fede Valverde played right-back. Vinícius Jr was still suspended, so Yan Diomande kept his place.

Valencia had the first real chance. On 19 minutes Courtois dived to stop a long shot from Mayol. After that, it was mostly one-way.

On 28 minutes Kylian Mbappé was fouled, his free-kick hit the wall, and Valverde smashed the rebound in from outside the box. Eight minutes later Jude Bellingham reached the byline and cut the ball back, and Arda Güler finished first time with his right foot. 0-2.

Valencia's keeper, Stole Dimitrievski, kept the score down for a long spell. He saved twice from Güler, once from Mbappé one-on-one, again from Mbappé, and from Bellingham after a solo run past three defenders.

Here is the coaching point, and it's the one I keep repeating to my teenagers: when a free-kick hits the wall, the play is not over. Valverde treated the rebound like a second chance and smashed it in. Nobody gives you a rebound. You go and take it.

The third goal was the best of the night. On 75 minutes Güler won the ball off Pepelu, controlled it, and spun a pass through. Mbappé killed it with his first touch and scored with his second. That is seven straight matches with a goal for him. Four minutes later José Gayà was sent off for fouling Mbappé as he broke clear.

Afterwards Mourinho said this team "smells good" and that winning at Real Madrid has to be normal, so nobody should go crazy celebrating. He also admitted he was tired and had a fever, and joked with his friend Javier Aguirre, the Valencia coach, that the problem was simply how good Madrid's players are.

I like the Mourinho who keeps everyone calm. I like a clean sheet at Mestalla even more.

Athens, Midweek: Valverde Again

That was Madrid's eighth straight win in La Liga and the Champions League. The seventh came in midweek in the Champions League at AEK Athens, and it was much harder. Koita scored first for AEK, Bellingham equalised with a backheel, Pilios put AEK back in front, Mbappé levelled on 78, and Valverde won it 3-2 with a stoppage-time stunner. Madrid are second in the league phase with 12 points from four games.

Back in La Liga, Madrid sit second on 30 points, three behind Barcelona.

Around La Liga: Valencia in Trouble, Betis Climb

Valencia are 19th on nine points, still looking for a first home win, with fans protesting against the owners and their captain sent off.

Real Betis won 2-0 at Elche and are fourth on 26. Real Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to sit fifth on 22, and Villarreal beat Getafe 2-0.

At the bottom, promoted Málaga lost 2-1 at home to Racing Santander and stay last on five points. Elche are 18th on 10. It was a quiet weekend elsewhere, with Sevilla, Espanyol, Osasuna and Celta all drawing.

Verdicts

• Real Madrid: Eight straight wins, a clean sheet and Güler playing like the boss. This is the best Madrid has looked all season.
• Güler: A goal, an assist and two more chances. He is not a promise anymore. He is the engine.
• The big story: Barça won the game they had to win. But I still think Madrid finish above them, because Madrid are winning ugly and pretty at the same time.

Up next: Real Madrid host Celta Vigo after the break. Barcelona host Villarreal and Atlético go to Getafe.

Three points between Barcelona and my Madrid at the break. Who is top by Christmas? Tell me on Instagram @soccermaniak801.