Mbappé Leads the Way for the New Madrid

Kylian Mbappé leads the way for Real Madrid. The Frenchman, current Golden Boot winner in European football, scored two goals to put the game beyond reach against Oviedo, marking the return of the Tartiere to La Liga. The Asturian side put up a fight and had a chance to equalize in the 80th minute, just before Vinicius—who started on the bench—came on to assist Mbappé and later score the definitive 0–3.

Xabi Alonso shook up the starting eleven, leaving Vinicius on the bench and bringing back the long-forgotten Rodrygo Goes, who had been a permanent substitute since the first match of the Club World Cup. Alongside him was Mastantuono, making his first start in place of Brahim, Carvajal came in for Trent, and Rüdiger replaced Militão. These were summer rotations from the Basque manager, aimed at getting everyone involved while also sending a clear message: no one’s place is guaranteed.

The script Madrid followed against Oviedo was a repeat of the one written against Osasuna—dominance in possession, heavy pressing after losing the ball and on the opponent’s buildup, but a static offense that kept crashing into the opposing defensive wall.

Xabi’s Madrid is starting to take shape. The team presses with a unity and intensity not seen under Ancelotti. They recover the ball quickly and intimidate. Oviedo could hardly get out of their half and failed to connect with Ilias and Rondón, who were isolated in an attack too far from the rest.

But, as with everything, there are flaws. Xabi’s Madrid still lacks fluidity in attack. It becomes too static at times, avoids risky passes between the opponent's two defensive lines, and relies heavily on individual brilliance. Without Vinicius, it was Rodrygo who took charge down the left wing—dribbling, cutting in, and testing Escandell twice in the first half, with the Oviedo keeper coming out on top.

As in the Osasuna match, Huijsen dominated possession in midfield, playing a Kroos-like role. Positioned on the left side of the buildup, he moved the ball short and long, linking up with Güler, Mbappé, Rodrygo, and Carreras on the left flank. It makes sense for a Madrid that still lacks a true playmaker in midfield.

Maybe it doesn’t even need one. This version of Madrid under Xabi thrives when it plays direct and incisive football—when it doesn’t overanalyze the opponent. That’s also what the club’s history and fanbase demand: no time-wasting, just relentless attacking.

That’s how the opening goal came. A turnover, a quick transition, and a moment of brilliance from Mbappé. Tchouaméni won the ball in midfield while Oviedo protested a foul on Dendoncker, then fed Güler, who spotted Mbappé’s vertical run. The Frenchman controlled the ball masterfully on the turn, leaving himself one-on-one with Escandell and finishing clinically.

Two goals in two games and the growing sense that this team is being built to maximize the comfort and quality of Mbappé, who does everything and appears everywhere in attack—flanked by Rodrygo and Mastantuono out wide, with the middle left open for him to link up at will.

The goal calmed Madrid, who came out after the break with the mistaken belief that the job was done. Oviedo posed little threat to Courtois, who went 150 minutes without facing a shot on target, and Madrid eased off in both pressing and tempo—repeating the same pattern as against Osasuna.

Xabi Alonso noticed, and in the 62nd minute he subbed off Rodrygo and Mastantuono, bringing on Vinicius and Brahim—reuniting the starting front three from the season opener. In their first action after coming on, Mbappé connected with Brahim, who found Valverde in the box, but the Uruguayan, under pressure, shot too softly and Escandell made the save.

The game slowed further, with Oviedo pushing up after their substitutions and Madrid focused more on keeping the ball than on risking attacks—even though the scoreline was still fragile. The entrance of Hassan on the right wing gave the Asturians a spark; they looked livelier and less fearful. In the 81st minute, Sibo fired a shot from outside the box that hit the post, startling the Madrid bench and stopping hearts at the Tartiere.

But the hope was short-lived. In the next play, Hassan hesitated in front of Vini, who stole the ball, laid it off to Mbappé, and the Frenchman sealed the win with his third goal of the season. Vinicius wasn’t done—frustrated by a yellow card shown minutes earlier by referee De Burgos, he scored the 0–3 in stoppage time, his first goal of the season, and gestured to the Madrid fans in the Tartiere crowd by cupping his ear.

Six points from six for Xabi’s Madrid... and Mbappé’s.

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