Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first objective
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Kylian Mbappe was once more on the right track for Real Madrid as they overcame Real Oviedo 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday (August 24, 2025).
For Oviedo, returning to Spain’s high flight after an absence of virtually 1 / 4 of a century, the arrival of the 15-time European champions was a gala event, and the Asturian followers made their presence heard.
Star turns Mbappe and Vinicius Junior made the distinction within the north of Spain. The Frenchman notched a brace earlier than the Brazilian slid in a late third.
Coach Xabi Alonso made a few notable modifications to his beginning line-up from Madrid’s opening 1-0 win towards Osasuna, dropping Vinicius and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Rodrygo Goes and membership captain Dani Carvajal, coming back from damage.
The dropped Vinicius responded by producing an help and a objective in his half-hour cameo.
“It was a very serious, very complete game,” mentioned Alonso. “With and without the ball. Playing as a team.
“And Vini came on and had a role in those two goals that gave us peace of mind. There will be games for everyone.
“Decisions are made with the team in mind, and that’s how it was today.”
Argentinian teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono made his full debut in one other change for Los Blancos.
The 18-year-old confirmed his explosive dribbling potential early on when he burst previous two defenders into the Oviedo field earlier than taking place and looking out appealingly at the uninterested referee.
A uncommon foray ahead by the hosts noticed Leander Dendoncker strive to catch Thibaut Courtois out with a chipped effort within the twenty third minute, however the Belgian shotstopper simply gathered the ball.
Madrid got here shut to forcing a breakthrough when Arda Guler’s drive from contained in the field was excellently saved by goalkeeper Aaron Escandell.
Contentious opener
The Turkish worldwide turned supplier as he drilled a cross into Mbappe’s ft on 37 minutes, which the Frenchman welcomed on the flip earlier than firing throughout Escandell.
The objective was met by livid protests from the house aspect. Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni appeared to comply with by way of strongly on Dendoncker when profitable possession again for his aspect within the build-up.
Rodrygo and the full of life Mastantuono made approach for Vinicius and Brahim Diaz simply after the hour.
Diaz instantly created an opportunity for the galloping Fede Valverde, however Escandell produced a fingertip save.
Kwasi Sibo got here inside inches of sending the house help wild when, out of nowhere, he struck the submit for Oviedo with Courtois rooted to the spot on 81 minutes.
That probability woke Madrid up. Vinicius gained the ball two minutes later and drove ahead earlier than slipping a disguised cross to Mbappe who slotted dwelling first time.
The Brazilian scored within the 93rd minute, when Diaz discovered him in house and he slid dwelling a composed end.
Elsewhere, Villarreal hammered Girona 5-0 at dwelling as new signing Tajon Buchanan netted a hat-trick to open his La Liga account.
A second-consecutive defeat to begin the season leaves Girona, who performed Champions League soccer final season, backside of the desk with seven objectives conceded and none scored.
“When you don’t compete at 100 percent, a team of Villarreal’s calibre will run you over,” mentioned Girona coach Michel Sanchez.
“That’s what happened. We play for the pride and respect of the people and we didn’t do the job we should have done.”
The dwelling aspect raced right into a 4-0 lead inside half-hour, with Nicolas Pepe and Rafa Marin scoring as Buchanan grabbed a brace.
The Canadian then acquired his third 4 minutes after the hour to cap a scintillating efficiency by the Yellow Submarine.
Real Sociedad fought again from being 2-0 down at half-time within the Basque nation to earn some extent towards Espanyol.
Pere Milla and Javi Puado gave the Catalans the lead, earlier than Ander Barrenetxea and Orri Oskarsson hit again for Sociedad in eight second-half minutes.
Ante Budimir’s ninth-minute objective gave Osasuna a 1-0 win over 10-man Valencia.
Published – August 26, 2025 03:20 am IST
