Real Madrid claimed a decisive 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe making his much-anticipated home debut at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the French superstar was left frustrated as Valladolid’s defense kept him from finding the net.
The match saw Madrid struggle to create chances in the first half, but a second-half surge led by midfielder Fede Valverde opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick in the 50th minute. Late goals from substitutes Brahim Diaz and debutant Endrick sealed the victory, marking Madrid’s first win of the season after an opening draw against Real Mallorca.
Despite the win, Real Madrid’s attack still lacks fluency, with coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side remaining two points behind rivals Barcelona, who secured a win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Valverde, reflecting on the match, admitted, “It was very hard, especially at the start. We didn’t click as the coach wanted us to; we lacked attacking attitude and were too passive. But we improved a lot in the second half.”
Ancelotti had to reshuffle his lineup, bringing in Arda Guler to replace the injured Jude Bellingham, who is expected to miss a month due to a calf problem. Real Valladolid, known for their strong defense, aimed to frustrate the champions from the start, with Darwin Machis coming close to scoring but narrowly missing with a deflected shot.
Madrid’s breakthrough came in the second half when Valverde’s powerful low free-kick, aided by a deflection, found the back of the net. The team had chances to extend their lead, but missed opportunities, including one from Rodrygo, kept the scoreline close until the closing minutes.
Mbappe’s Missed Chances
Mbappe, who joined Madrid this summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, had a few golden opportunities to score but was denied by Valladolid’s Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein. The France captain had another chance on the counter-attack but fired wide before being substituted for 18-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick.
Mbappe has yet to score in his first two La Liga appearances, as Ancelotti continues to refine his setup to maximize the potential of Madrid’s attacking stars.
The match concluded with Diaz securing Madrid’s win in the 88th minute with a delicate lobbed finish, followed by Endrick’s near-post strike in stoppage time, celebrating his debut in style.
As the La Liga season heats up, Real Madrid’s quest for the title continues, with fans eagerly watching how Mbappe will adapt and deliver in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as Madrid aims to reclaim their position at the top of the table.
