NOS Football•yesterday, 19:58•Adjusted today, 00:04
Real Madrid did win their second match in the new competition. After the 1-1 on Mallorca, Real Valladolid was defeated in Madrid: 3-0.
The Madrilenians gave nothing away before half-time, but also created surprisingly little themselves. Without the injured Jude Bellingham, the attacking quartet consisting of Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé could not convince.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team were even treated to a light whistle concert in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu after the goalless first half.
After the break, Real Madrid flew out of the blocks, although a goal by Arda Güler was still prevented by goalkeeper Karl Hein. The 1-0 fell a little later; when Stanko Juric of Valladolid unfortunately deflected a hard-shot free kick by Federico Valverde.
It was not a prelude to a brilliant second half. The visitors had chances to level the score at 1-1. Only in the final phase did substitutes Brahim Diaz (with a lob) and Endrick (covered shot) secure the victory. With a goal in his first league match, the Brazilian (18 years and 35 days) became the youngest non-Spanish goalscorer ever for Real Madrid in La Liga.
Atlético simpel langs Girona
A little less than ten kilometres away, city rivals Atlético also won 3-0 later in the evening. Against Girona, where Daley Blind played the entire match and Donny van de Beek remained on the bench, Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring before half-time. For the first time since April 2019, the Frenchman scored from a direct free kick.
The free kick was awarded after a remarkable move by goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The Argentine goalkeeper came far out of his goal but went under a high ball, after which he made a backward leap outside the box and handled it. He got away with a yellow card.
After the break, Gazzaniga was not blameless when Marcos Llorrente scored from outside the box (2-0). After Conor Gallagher, who had just arrived from Chelsea, had been warmly welcomed by the Madrid crowd on his debut, another substitute scored the third goal of the evening. Koke was the final stop of a counter in injury time.
La Liga Results
Friday:
Celta Vigo – Valencia 3-1
Sevilla – Villarreal 1-2
Saturday:
Osasuna – Real Mallorca 1-0
FC Barcelona – Athletic Club 2-1
Espanyol – Real Sociedad 0-1
Getafe – Rayo Vallecano 0-0
Sunday:
Real Madrid – Real Valladolid 3-0
Leganes – Las Palmas 2-1
Deportivo Alaves – Real Betis 0-0
Atlético Madrid – Girona 3-0
2024-08-25 19:55:29