Real Madrid 2-0 Oviedo: Garcia 44, Bellingham 80
Gonzalo Garcia and Jude Bellingham were on target to help Real Madrid secure a tense 2-0 win over Real Oviedo at the Bernabeu on Thursday night, but the result did little to ease the unrest surrounding the club.
The atmosphere at the stadium was dominated by fresh protests against club president Florentino Perez, who earlier this week insisted he would not step down despite the huge wave of criticism following a second consecutive trophyless campaign.
On the pitch, Madrid struggled to find rhythm against an already relegated Oviedo side. Trent Alexander-Arnold came closest early on when his long-range effort drifted narrowly wide, before Brahim Díaz forced goalkeeper Aaron Escandell into a sharp save.
Oviedo also threatened in the first half. Defender Nacho Vidal wasted a good chance from close range, firing over the bar after finding space inside the area.
Madrid eventually punished that miss moments before the break. Oviedo lost possession on the left flank and Brahim reacted quickly, feeding Garcia on the edge of the box. The forward took the ball confidently before drilling a low finish beyond Escandell to hand the hosts the lead.
The visitors nearly responded after halftime when Rahim Alhassane’s cross reached Alberto Reina at the far post, but the midfielder dragged his attempt wide. Escandell then denied Alvaro Carreras with a smart stop as Madrid pushed for a second.
Oviedo continued to create openings, with Vidal again threatening after bursting into the area, only to send his effort across goal and wide.
Much of the attention late in the game centred on Kylian Mbappe, who returned from a thigh injury as a second-half substitute. The French forward was loudly whistled by sections of the home support, evidence of their frustration over Madrid’s disappointing season and all of the scrutiny surrounding him.
Madrid finally sealed the result with 10 minutes remaining. Mbappe combined with Jude Bellingham, who powered into the penalty area, held off two defenders and calmly slotted into the bottom corner for his side’s second goal.
Oviedo still tested Thibaut Courtois late on through Haissem Hassan, but the goalkeeper pushed the fierce effort over the bar to preserve Madrid’s clean sheet.
