Kylian Mbappe shines for Real Madrid
Real Oviedo 0 - 3 Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid extended their flawless start to the La Liga season with a win at Oviedo.
Author | Jack L
Stadium | Estadio Municipal Carlos Tartiere
Mbappe, who had netted the only goal against Osasuna, made it three goals in two games, opening the scoring eight minutes before half-time with a composed finish from the edge of the box and later side footing home a second late in the match.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was named among the substitutes after starting the previous fixture, with manager Xabi Alonso opting for Dani Carvajal at right-back. The England international came on for the final three minutes with Real already 2-0 ahead.
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Vinicius Jr, another player who began on the bench, added a third in stoppage time with a clinical strike. Alonso also handed a start to 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono in attack, and the teenager impressed with a lively display.
Oviedo’s best opportunity came in the 81st minute when Kwasi Sibo’s long-range effort rattled the outside of the post, shortly before Mbappe’s second secured the victory.
The win leaves Real level on six points after two games alongside rivals Barcelona and Villarreal.
Still an historic day for an iconic club
The last time Real Madrid visited Oviedo was on 10 June 2001, the final first division match at the Tartiere. On that day, just two weeks after Oviedo had beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou, they drew 1-1 with Vicente del Bosque’s side. A win would have secured their safety, but a week later they lost 4-2 at Mallorca and were relegated. It took 24 years for the club to return to the top flight of Spanish football.
When Madrid last came, Aleksandar Paunovic was an Oviedo midfielder. He is now the club’s manager, the man who led them back to the Primera in June. He reportedly sent messages to the teammates who went down with him in 2001, expressing pride at guiding them home.
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After the 2001 relegation, Oviedo suffered further setbacks, dropping from the second division to the third tier within two years. Financial troubles compounded the decline, with debts reaching €42m, owed to the tax authorities, Betis, banks, and social security. When players reported unpaid salaries, the club was penalised with another relegation, dropping to the Tercera and starting the following season on minus six points. Headlines captured the despair, one local paper simply declaring: “It’s over.”
Returning to the top flight has been a remarkable journey for Oviedo. This defeat will be forgotten easily but the occasion will live forever with everyone.
