Real Madrid defeat Oviedo in La Liga Round 36

Mbappé returns after injury absence

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa did not start Mbappé due to injury, which had already sidelined him for two matches, including the 0–2 defeat to rivals Barcelona in a match that effectively secured the title for the Catalan side. However, the player, who has been included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, came on in the second half.

Mbappé was subjected to heavy whistles from the crowd from the moment he began warming up, then again when he entered the pitch, and every time he touched the ball afterwards.

Criticism over playing style and behaviour

Criticism has recently been directed at the French forward over what has been described as overly individualistic behaviour, with accusations of selfishness, particularly after he travelled to Sardinia for a weekend break before a match against Espanyol.

Valverde injury and team absences

Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde also missed the match due to a head injury sustained after a clash with French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who started the match.

The win came following club president Florentino Pérez’s announcement that he would run for another term and rule out resignation on Tuesday.

García opens scoring

The home side took the lead through Gonzalo García, who scored from inside the box following a pass from Moroccan player Brahim Díaz in the 44th minute.

After dominating much of the match, substitute Jude Bellingham scored the second goal in the 80th minute after receiving a pass from Mbappé, dribbling into the penalty area and firing a low shot to the left side of the net.

Madrid remains second in the table

With this 25th league win of the season, the capital club moved to 80 points in second place, while Oviedo suffered their 19th defeat and remain bottom of the table.