Real Madrid defeated newly-promoted Real Oviedo 3-3 to claim the win in the La Liga title game. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in each half before Vinicius added a late third to tie the game.
The arrival of the 15-time European champions on Sunday marked a grand occasion for Oviedo, who has been unable to do so for almost a quarter of a century.
In place of Rodrygo Goes and club captain Dani Carvajal, who both returned from injury, in Madrid’s opening 1-0 victory over Osasuna, coach Xabi Alonso made a few notable changes to his starting lineup.
However, in his half-hour cameo, Vinicius responded with an assist and a goal.
Franco Mastantuono, an Argentine teenager sensation, made his Los Blancos debut in a different way.
The 18-year-old showed off his explosive dribbling ability early on when he burst past two defenders inside the Oviedo box before going down and appealingly gazing at the uninterested referee.
Leander Dendoncker attempted to stop Thibaut Courtois with a chipped effort in the 23rd minute after making a surprisingly unusual foray forward on a through ball. The Belgian shot-stopper quickly recovered the ball from the sky after a hasty retreat.
When Madrid almost won, goalkeeper Aaron Escandell superbly saved an Arda Guler drive from inside the box.
On 37 minutes, the Turkish international turned provider when he drilled a pass into Mbappe’s feet, which the Frenchman welcomed on the turn before slamming Escandell.
After Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni appeared to follow through on Dendoncker when he returned possession for his side in the build-up, the goal was met by irate protests from the home side.
Five minutes into the second period, Madrid almost doubled their lead when a defensive error saw a clearance slit straight into the hands of a grateful Escandell.
Vinicius and Brahim Diaz made way for Rodrygo and the lively Mastantuono shortly after the hour.
When Diaz’s cushioned pass found the Uruguayan inside the box, he immediately had a gilt-edged chance, but Escandell saved the ball with a fingertip save to keep the score at 1-0.
On 81 minutes, Kwasi Sibo struck the post for Oviedo just outside the bounds of wildening the home support, with Courtois rooted to the spot.
That chance brought Madrid to life. After two minutes, Vinicius Jr. won the ball and headed in the direction of the box before slipping a covert pass to Mbappe, who slotted home first.
Diaz found the Brazilian in space in the 93rd minute, and he slipped his composed finish home in the final seconds.
Alonso, the manager of Real Madrid, expressed his gratitude for the team’s impressive talent.
The squad includes more than 20 players, according to the statement. They must feel significant to everyone. When asked why Vinicious Jr. had started on the bench, he responded, “I make decisions that are good for the team”.
We are seeing what we’re doing well and what we need to improve, the author says. Good feelings are expressed.
Escandell, the goalkeeper for Real Oviedo, lamented the “mistakes” his team committed in an interview with DAZN following the game.
“We didn’t compete as we believed we could in the first half.” He claimed that mistakes cost a lot in comparison to these teams. I want to thank the fans who, in my opinion, set a record for the number of fans.
Villarreal also defeated Girona 5-0 at home thanks to Tajon Buchanan’s hat-trick to open his La Liga account.
Girona, who played Champions League football last season, is bottom of the table with seven goals conceded and none scored as a result of a second consecutive defeat to start the season.
Real Sociedad rallied to earn a point against Espanyol after half-time with a 2-0 lead.
In eight second-half minutes, Sociedad were led by Pere Milla and Javi Puado before Ander Barrenetxea and Orri Oskarsson responded.
