Vinícius Shines off the Bench but Loses His Cool, Mbappé Acts as the Peacemaker

In the early hours of August 25 (Beijing time), Real Madrid secured their second straight La Liga victory with a 3-0 away win over newly promoted Real Oviedo. Kylian Mbappé struck twice, while €170 million star Vinícius Júnior surprisingly started on the bench. Although Vinícius scored after coming on, his heated celebration stirred controversy — only calmed down thanks to Mbappé’s timely intervention.

Vinícius Benched, Enters with Tension

Vinícius has struggled with form in recent months. In the league opener, he was substituted after 78 minutes. This time, coach Xabi Alonso made a bold call, leaving him on the bench in favor of Rodrygo and youngster Mastantono. Even during warm-up, Vinícius clashed verbally with Oviedo supporters.

He replaced Rodrygo in the 62nd minute, visibly frustrated but eager to make an impact.

Mbappé Brace + Vinícius Goal

• 37’ — Mbappé finished clinically to make it 1-0 for Madrid.
• 83’ — Vinícius pressed high, won the ball, and set up Mbappé’s second goal, 2-0!
• 90+3’ — Brahim Díaz crossed from the right, Vinícius calmly slotted into the far corner, sealing a 3-0 win.

After scoring, Vinícius kissed the Madrid badge and provocatively shouted towards the home crowd, sparking heated reactions.

The Controversy: Mbappé Covers His Mouth

Vinícius’s emotional celebration nearly escalated into conflict. As he yelled toward the stands, Mbappé rushed over and covered his teammate’s mouth, urging him to stay calm. Cameras caught Mbappé continuously consoling Vinícius, preventing him from earning a yellow card or possible dismissal.

Post-match commentary highlighted:

• Vinícius delivered on the pitch, but his emotional control remains a concern.
• Mbappé not only scored twice, but also acted like a true leader in a tense moment.

Summary

Real Madrid left Oviedo with three points and a red-hot Mbappé. Vinícius silenced critics with a goal, yet nearly risked trouble with his outburst. For Alonso, the bigger challenge will be managing the balance between Mbappé and Vinícius, not just tactically but also within the team dynamic.