Football: Real Madrid beat Oviedo 3-0 as Vinicius Jr stirs debate
Real Madrid maintained their strong form with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Oviedo on Sunday night in La Liga. Xabi Alonso surprised many by leaving Vinicius Jr on the bench at kickoff, opting instead for Rodrygo. The decision did not destabilize the team, who controlled the match despite a few scares in the second half.
Coming on in the 66th minute, Vinicius quickly made his presence felt. He first delivered a decisive assist for Kylian Mbappé, who scored a brace, before netting the third goal himself to seal the win. From a sporting perspective, the Brazilian’s performance was more than convincing. Yet, in Spain, the post-match discussions on Monday were less about his footballing brilliance and more about fresh controversies surrounding his behavior.
Even before stepping onto the pitch, Vinicius was seen engaging in heated exchanges with Oviedo fans while on the bench. Later, he picked up a yellow card for simulation shortly after being subbed in. The most striking incident came following his assist to Mbappé, when he appeared to direct aggressive words toward someone, though it was unclear at whom. Mbappé immediately intervened, covering his teammate’s mouth to prevent further escalation and then approaching the referee to ensure no additional punishment was handed down.
Once again, Vinicius Jr combined flair with controversy. His talent is undeniable, but his temperament continues to draw attention, leaving Real Madrid torn between celebrating his impact on the field and managing the storms that follow him.
