For Oviedo, returning to Spain’s top flight after an absence of almost a quarter of a century, the arrival of the 15-time European champions was a gala occasion, and the Asturian fans made their presence heard.
Star turns Mbappe and Vinicius Junior made the difference in the north of Spain. The Frenchman notched a brace before the Brazilian slid in a late third.
Coach Xabi Alonso made a couple of notable changes to his starting line-up from Madrid’s opening 1-0 win against Osasuna, dropping Vinicius and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Rodrygo Goes and club captain Dani Carvajal, returning from injury.
The dropped Vinicius responded by producing an assist and a goal in his half-hour cameo.
“It was a very serious, very complete game,” said 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,” he added.
Argentinian teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono made his full debut in another change for Los Blancos.
The 18-year-old showed his explosive dribbling ability early on when he burst past two defenders into the Oviedo box before going down and looking appealingly at the uninterested referee.
A rare foray forward by the hosts saw Leander Dendoncker try to catch Thibaut Courtois out with a chipped effort in the 23rd minute, but the Belgian shotstopper easily gathered the ball.
Madrid came close to forcing a breakthrough when Arda Guler’s drive from inside the box was excellently saved by goalkeeper Aaron Escandell. (AFP)