Kylian Mbappé netted two goals, and Real Madrid sealed a 3-0 victory over Oviedo, maintaining their flawless start to the La Liga season.
Madrid’s star forward was at the heart of the action in Oviedo, which hosted a top-flight match for the first time in 24 years. While the French striker grabbed a brace, it was Vinícius Júnior, who came off the bench in the second half, that proved instrumental in the win.
Vinícius’ Key Role
Manager Xabi Alonso made the decision to leave Vinícius Júnior on the bench at the start, with Rodrygo taking his place. However, the Brazilian winger proved crucial after his introduction, contributing to both of Mbappé’s goals. Alonso praised the 23-year-old’s impact, saying, “Vinícius entered the game very well. He was decisive in scoring two goals that gave us some breathing room.”
Alonso, who took over as manager in June, emphasized that every player’s contribution is vital, whether they start or come off the bench. “We need everyone—starters and substitutes alike. There will be plenty of matches for everyone,” he added.
A Dream Start for Real Madrid
Despite missing Vinícius from the start, Madrid had an excellent first half. They had 17 shots in the opening 45 minutes, while Oviedo, the newly promoted side, managed just one.
It was Mbappé who broke the deadlock eight minutes before the break. The Frenchman controlled a pass from Arda Güler before calmly slotting the ball past Oviedo’s goalkeeper into the far corner.
With the 1-0 lead, Madrid remained in control, and a second goal always seemed imminent. That came in the 82nd minute, when Vinícius, after replacing Rodrygo, intercepted the ball in midfield and set up Mbappé for a well-placed strike, doubling the advantage.
Vinícius Seals the Win
The final blow came in stoppage time when Vinícius himself scored, finishing off a counter-attack to make it 3-0, and securing all three points for the visitors.
Alonso on Rodrygo’s Performance
Despite the win, Alonso also acknowledged the importance of Rodrygo, who started his first competitive match since the World Cup in June. Although the Brazilian didn’t score, Alonso was pleased with his performance, saying, “He had a few one-on-one situations and shots. Oviedo was sitting back, making it difficult to find space, but I liked his contribution.”
Villarreal’s Stunning Performance
Meanwhile, Villarreal stormed to a 5-0 victory over Girona, with Canadian midfielder Tajon Buchanan scoring a stunning hat-trick. Rafael Marín and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé also got on the scoresheet. This dominant win lifted Villarreal to the top of the La Liga table, although coach Marcelino García Toral urged caution, saying, “It’s only two matches, and both were at home. We’ll continue working hard.”
Osasuna’s Solid Win at Home
Osasuna managed their first win of the season, defeating Valencia 1-0. Ante Budimir’s header in the 9th minute proved to be the match-winner. Valencia, already struggling after a 1-1 draw in their opener, had captain José Gayà sent off for a foul on Víctor Muñoz. Gayà, visibly frustrated, threw his captain’s armband to the ground but later apologized to the fans.
Espanyol’s Draw with Real Sociedad
Espanyol picked up a point on the road after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad. Pere Milla gave the visitors the lead with a header, and Javi Puado doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just before halftime. But Sociedad mounted a comeback, with Ander Barrenetxea scoring one and Orri Steinn Óskarsson equalizing late in the game.
The Perfect Start for Madrid, but the Road Ahead is Long
Real Madrid’s perfect start continues, but the competition is heating up, with Villarreal’s remarkable form and Osasuna showing their resilience. As the season unfolds, Madrid will need all of their stars to continue delivering on the big stage.
