Real Madrid 3-0 Real Valladolid: Mbappe’s Bernabeu debut, Valverde’s day out, Bellingham’s replacement | OneFootball

Looking to bounce back from last week’s draw in La Liga, Real Madrid took to the field earlier today at the Nuevo Santiago Bernabeu gunning for a first win of the campaign.

The first half saw both sides match each other greatly, although Real Madrid managed to create a marginally better threat in front of the goal.

Five minutes into the second period, however, Fede Valverde broke the tie and netted a goal for Real Madrid before Brahim Díaz came on and scored the team’s second goal of the night.

The third goal came late in extra time via Endrick courtesy of an assist by Díaz and thus helped the team register a dominant win over opponents Real Valladolid.

Madrid Universal brings you the key talking points from Real Madrid’s win over Real Valladolid.

How was Kylian Mbappe’s debut at home?

Mbappé during his Real Madrid debut. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe has been doing the rounds in the Madrid media for years now as the Merengues have waited a long time to bring him home.

With the soap opera ending only earlier this year, Mbappe’s first appearance at Santiago Bernabeu was an event fans were yearning to watch and they got the chance earlier today.

The French phenom unsurprisingly started the game amidst massive cheer and there was palpable excitement every time he touched the ball.

In the larger picture, however, he did not live up to his sky-high standards on the night.

Mbappe’s debut at the Bernabeu, thus, was not one to remember from a personal standpoint as he missed two big chances and failed to provide a single accurate cross against Real Valladolid.

One can be assured, however, that his output will improve in the coming days especially considering the great positions he is getting himself into.

No problem in replacing Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham’s injury sent the alarm bells ringing in the Spanish capital earlier this week as the Englishman is a vital part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

Forced to replace him, the Italian tactician was thus spoilt for choices with the likes of Luka Modric, Arda Güler, and Brahim Díaz all well-placed.

In the end, it was the Turkish superstar who earned the honour and he lived up to the hype with one key pass, three shots on target and two blocked shots in 69 minutes.

Díaz stole the show once again as he staked claim as the perfect Bellingham substitute once more. Playing just 21 minutes, he not only netted Real Madrid’s second goal but also provided a late assist for Endrick’s goal.

The ideal Toni Kroos replacement

Valverde celebrating his opener goal against Real Valladolid. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Federico Valverde, by far, is Real Madrid’s most underrated midfielder in recent years if not most underrated players.

The Uruguayan star is a serious asset in terms of ball circulation, recovery, and pushing forward in numbers, and has a knack of pitching in with goals when the circumstances are least favourable.

Last night, once again, Valverde was one of Real Madrid’s best players on the field. Playing the entire 90 minutes, he recorded two key passes, created one big chance and scored the winner for Los Blancos.

Further, he averaged 92% pass accuracy, had one shot on target and 12 defensive actions against Real Valladolid.

Speaking to the media after his team’s win, Carlo Ancelotti stressed on the same point and showered praise on Valverde as the ‘perfect’ heir to Toni Kroos’ number.

“Fede Valverde is irreplaceable. Toni Kroos has chosen the perfect player to take the number #8,” he said.

A first La Liga win

Quite simply, the biggest takeaway for Ancelotti and Co. from tonight’s special result over Real Valladolid is the fact that it was the team’s first win in La Liga this season.

Having started their title defence with a meek draw against Mallorca last weekend, the pressure was on the men in white to come back with three points and they did not disappoint.

What made the result sweeter, is the fact that it came in front of home supporters and a close to house-full Santiago Bernabeu.

The men in white next take to the field against Las Palmas midweek at Gran Canaria before they face back-to-back crunching fixtures against Real Betis and Real Sociedad.