Real Madrid secured a comfortable 3-0 La Liga victory against newly promoted Real Oviedo on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior playing pivotal roles. Mbappé scored twice, while Vinícius added a late goal to seal the win.

The match saw Xabi Alonso, the Real Madrid coach, make some interesting lineup decisions, including starting Vinícius Júnior on the bench in favor of Rodrygo. This marked the first competitive start for Rodrygo since Madrid's opener in the Club World Cup in June. Other changes included Dani Carvajal making his first start since October 2024 and Franco Mastantuono making his full debut.

Real Madrid dominated the first half, registering 17 shots compared to Oviedo's one. However, it was Mbappé who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Aurélien Tchouaméni won the ball in midfield and passed to Arda Guler, who then slipped a pass to Mbappé. The French striker turned sharply on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot into the net.

Oviedo almost snatched an equalizer when Kwasi Sibo's low drive struck the post. However, Real Madrid regained control and Mbappé scored his second goal in the 83rd minute, assisted by Vinícius. Vinícius then added a third goal in stoppage time, finding himself unmarked in the box and calmly picking out the far corner.

Mbappé's performance was particularly noteworthy, with many praising his clinical finishing. His first goal was described as a "wonderful goal" after an "ineffective first half". His second goal was equally impressive, sealing the victory for Real Madrid. Vinícius also made a significant impact, both with his assist and his late goal. After being subbed in, Vini Jr. responded with an assist to Mbappe for the insurance goal in the 83rd minute and scored a goal of his own.

Alonso's decision to rotate the squad, including benching Vinícius, raised eyebrows. However, the changes ultimately paid off, as Real Madrid secured their second consecutive win of the season. Alonso faces the challenge of finding the right balance in the team, and these early-season experiments could be crucial in determining his preferred lineup.

The win means that Real Madrid is one of only three clubs with a 100% record after two games. However, Villarreal tops the league standings after a 5-0 win over Girona. With Champions League play around the corner, Alonso will need to utilize his entire squad. The performance of players like Vinícius will be crucial, and consistency will be key to securing a regular spot in the starting lineup.