In the 83rd minute, Vinícius danced through the middle before assisting Mbappé’s second goal, completing the Frenchman’s brace. But just after the play, emotions ran high.
Vinícius, having faced boos and criticism from the Oviedo crowd throughout the match—including a yellow card for simulation—began taunting fans and opponents. Mbappé immediately intervened, covering Vinícius’s mouth and pulling him into a celebratory embrace, effectively defusing the situation.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed by fans or analysts. Mbappé’s quick thinking likely prevented a post-match controversy, highlighting the leadership role he’s beginning to embrace even in a star-studded Madrid side.
The gesture also echoed similar past incidents where players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos stepped in to manage fiery teammates in high-pressure matches.
Despite the emotional edge, Vinícius delivered when it counted. Subbed on for Rodrygo, the 25-year-old winger quickly turned the match in Madrid’s favor. He sealed the win with a goal in stoppage time (90+3’) —but this time, with Mbappé off the pitch, he celebrated provocatively in front of the Oviedo fans.
Vinícius’s talent is undeniable, but his emotional volatility remains a concern. Coaches and teammates have previously called for greater composure to help him reach his full potential.
The win pushed Real Madrid to third in La Liga, trailing only Villarreal and Barcelona. According to Opta, this is only the fourth time in the 21st century that Los Blancos have kept clean sheets in their first two league matches, the last instance being in 2015/16.
Madrid will next face Mallorca, while Oviedo look to bounce back against Real Sociedad. For now, the headlines belong to Mbappé’s subtle leadership and Vinícius’s flair—both key to Madrid’s title ambitions, but with very different expressions of passion.
Sources: Znews