With Kylian Mbappe netting twice and Vinicius Jr. adding a late third, Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 La Liga triumph over newly promoted Real Oviedo on Sunday.
For Oviedo, back in Spain’s top flight after 25 years, the visit of the 15-time European champions was a festive event with a packed home crowd creating a lively mood.
Following their opening-day victory over Osasuna, Madrid coach Xabi Alonso changed his team and gave club captain Dani Carvajal a starting position and adolescent prodigy Franco Mastantuono his complete debut. Vinicius Jr. started on the bench but subsequently made a strong effect.
A breakthrough occurred in the 37th minute following chances for Arda Güler and Rodrygo. Güler gave Mbappe a ball, and Mbappe twisted and completed expertly past goalie Aaron Escandell. Although Oviedo players objected to a fierce tackle by Aurelien Tchouameni in the lead-up, the goal was still recorded.
Later on, Kwasi Sibo hit the post in the 81st minute, and Madrid retaliated mercilessly, nearly equalizing the hosts. Vinicius sprinted forward and passed a deceptive ball to Mbappe, who buried his second goal. The Brazilian then scored himself in stoppage time, coolly finishing a Brahim Diaz pass.
Later, Alonso complimented his team depth: “We have over twenty players. All of them have to feel significant. The emotions are good.”
“Against these teams, errors come at a high price. I thank the fans who set a record attendance,” Oviedo keeper Escandell confessed his errors had proved expensive.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Villareal humiliated Girona 5-0 at home as new recruit Tajon Buchanan scored a hat-trick. Having competed in the Champions League last season, Girona is now last on the standings and has lost both games without scoring.
Real Sociedad came two goals down in San Sebastián to tie 2-2 with Espanyol; Ander Barrenetxea and Orri Oskarsson cancelled out first-half goals from Pere Milla and Javi Puado.
An early Ante Budimir goal gave Osasuna a 10-point lead over Valencia; the visitors were then reduced to 10 men.
