Vinicius Responds To Benching With Goal, Assist In Madrid\'s 3-0 Win
Vinicius Junior answered coach Xabi Alonso\'s decision to bench him by scoring a late goal and providing an assist for Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid\'s 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo on Sunday.
The Brazil international entered as a substitute in the 63rd minute, replacing Rodrygo with Madrid leading 1-0. ESPN reports that Vinicius had been dropped from the starting lineup after failing to impress in Madrid\'s season opener against Osasuna.
Vinicius immediately made an impact by setting up Mbappe\'s second goal before converting Madrid\'s third in the 93rd minute. The Ballon d\'Or runner-up celebrated his goal by facing off with Oviedo supporters at the Carlos Tartiere stadium.
Contract Talks Currently Stalled
ESPN also reports that contract negotiations with Vinícius are currently stalled, with his current deal expiring in June 2027. Alonso had previously considered dropping the winger for Madrid\'s Club World Cup semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
\"Vini did well when he came on, he was decisive in those two goals,\" Alonso said. \"We\'re happy with those players who started and those who came off the bench. There\'ll be a lot of games for everyone.\"
Rotation Policy Emphasized
Alonso defended his team selection and emphasized the importance of squad rotation throughout the season. Rodrygo, who has been linked with a summer departure, started on the left wing in place of Vinícius.
\"In football you take decisions thinking about the team, and today it was like that,\" Alonso explained. \"Sometimes it\'s starting and being important, sometimes it\'s having a few minutes and being important, and Vinicius was today.\"
Madrid collected their second consecutive league victory under Alonso as they seek to bounce back from a trophyless 2024-25 campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.