Just days after a humbling defeat in Barcelona’s title-clinching Clasico, Real Madrid bounced back with a win. However, the atmosphere was not entirely joyous.
Superstar Kylian Mbappé celebrated his return to action for Spanish giants Real Madrid after a nearly three-week injury layoff. With just over a month to go until France’s opening World Cup group stage match against Senegal on June 16th, the Equipe tricolore’s leading scorer entered the fray in the 79th minute of Los Blancos’ 2-0 victory against relegated Real Oviedo on the penultimate matchday.
Mbappé, who was met with whistles from Real fans upon his substitution due to a controversial short vacation taken in Sardinia during his recovery period, had suffered a muscle tear on April 24th during Madrid’s league match at Betis Sevilla. During the striker’s forced absence, Real recently relinquished their last chance at the league title with a 0-2 loss to defending champions FC Barcelona.
Garcia and Bellingham Score Against Bottom-Placed Team
Madrid had already secured second place in the league table, trailing Barcelona, since the previous day’s 2-3 defeat of third-placed pursuer FC Villarreal against FC Sevilla.
Goals from Gonzalo Garcia in the 44th minute and former Dortmund player Jude Bellingham in the 80th minute at least formally compensated for the definitive end of their championship aspirations.