Three things you might have missed from Real Madrid 4-0 Valencia | OneFootball

Real Madrid delivered a dominant performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, securing a stunning 4-0 victory over Valencia that reinforced their position at the top of La Liga. 

The night belonged to Kylian Mbappe, whose brilliant brace set the tone for the evening, followed by goals from Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras. 

The result not only extended Madrid’s lead over Barcelona to eight points but also ensured another clean sheet for Thibaut Courtois, which is a timely boost ahead of their high-stakes Champions League clash with Liverpool on Tuesday.

Xabi Alonso fielded his strongest possible lineup, aiming to keep the momentum before the European test. 

And while the focus was naturally on the goals and the Frenchman’s clinical finishing, there were a few off-the-ball moments that told a deeper story about the current atmosphere inside the Madrid camp.

Alonso’s reaction to Vinicius’ penalty miss

Real Madrid could have gone into halftime with an even bigger lead. Mbappe and Bellingham had already put the hosts three goals up before Vinicius was handed a chance to score from the spot in the 43rd minute. 

Showing generosity, Mbappe let the Brazilian take the penalty, but Vinicius’ effort lacked conviction. 

His strike was comfortably saved by Julen Agirrezabala, and even Arda Guler’s rebound attempt failed to find the net.

Cameras immediately captured Xabi Alonso’s reaction on the sidelines. The Madrid boss appeared composed at first, but his expression quickly gave away his frustration. 

He did not lash out or gesture dramatically, yet it was evident that he was disappointed with the execution and perhaps the missed opportunity to add further dominance.

Signs of reconciliation

One of the biggest talking points of recent weeks has been the strained relationship between Alonso and Vinicius, especially following the Clasico incident when the Brazilian reacted angrily to being substituted. 

However, this time the narrative was very different.

When Alonso once again decided to take off Vinicius in the second half, there was no drama. 

Instead, the winger calmly approached the touchline, shook hands with his manager, and even exchanged a few words of encouragement. 

As Rodrygo came on in his place, Vinicius also wished him and another substitute good luck.

It was a moment that symbolised maturity and reconciliation, a quiet truce after days of speculation about their relationship. 

The images of the handshake between the two circulated widely online, and Madrid fans welcomed it as a sign that both men had moved on from the past week’s turbulence.

Bernabeu forgives its star

Perhaps the most heartwarming moment came from the stands. When Vinicius’ name was announced before kick-off, he received a loud round of applause from the Bernabeu faithful. 

Later, as he was substituted, the supporters once again stood up, giving him a standing ovation.

It was a stark contrast to the tension following El Clasico, when the Brazilian’s outburst had disappointed many inside the club. His public apology earlier in the week, however, seems to have done the trick. 

The fans responded with warmth, proving that one mistake was not enough to overshadow his importance to the team.