Real Madrid secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over relegated Real Oviedo on Thursday, but the match was overshadowed by a hostile reception for Kylian Mbappe and a brewing selection row.
Real Madrid dominated the encounter against the league’s bottom side in 44th Minute, Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring with a clinical finish following an Oviedo defensive error again in 80th Minute the Substitute Jude Bellingham doubled the lead to seal the win.
Despite the victory, Madrid remains in second place with 80 points—11 points behind champions Barcelona with only two games remaining.
Returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday’s El Clasico defeat, Mbappe was introduced in the 69th minute. Instead of a warm welcome, the Frenchman was met with loud boos and whistles from the Bernabeu crowd.
The fans’ frustration reportedly stems from Mbappe’s recent trip to Sardinia during his recovery period and his absence during the title-deciding loss to Barcelona.
The 'Fourth-Choice' Controversy
Following the match, Mbappe sparked further debate by claiming he has fallen down the pecking order under manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
"I’m 100% fine. I haven’t played because, for the coach, I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vinicius, and Gonzalo," Mbappe told reporters. "I have to do better to play ahead of them."
Arbeloa quickly dismissed the "fourth-choice" label, explaining that the decision was purely based on match fitness. "A player who couldn't be on the bench four days ago should not start today, especially when it isn't a life-or-death final," Arbeloa said. He confirmed that Mbappe is slated to start the next match against Sevilla on Sunday.
