Overview
- Kylian Mbappé returned from a left‑knee issue, won a penalty and converted it in the 58th minute before Raul Asencio added a 65th‑minute header for a 2-0 win.
- Álvaro Arbeloa recorded his first league victory days after replacing the sacked Xabi Alonso, following a Copa del Rey loss to Albacete in his debut.
- Parts of the crowd booed players, including Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, and waved white handkerchiefs during a tense afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- Arbeloa publicly defended Florentino Pérez, suggesting the resignation chants came from those who do not want Real Madrid, and urged patience after a difficult week.
- Arbeloa said he will work to restore Vinícius Júnior’s form and instructed teammates to look for him, as Real moved to within one point of Barcelona with Villarreal next in LaLiga and Monaco on Tuesday in the Champions League.