Real Madrid secured a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid in their La Liga clash at the Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon, thanks to goals from Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz, and Endrick.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Mallorca in their season opener, Carlo Ancelotti’s men claimed their first victory of the campaign.
Valverde, Diaz, and Endrick all found the back of the net in the second half to seal the win.
Real Madrid dominated possession in the first half, with 72% of the ball, but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Kylian Mbappe had the best opportunity for the home side in the 10th minute, but his shot was saved by Real Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein.
The visitors, who were well-organized defensively, managed to keep the game level at halftime.
Real Valladolid’s defensive setup, often featuring seven players across the backline, frustrated Real Madrid’s attackers, including Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who were frequently drawn into congested areas instead of maintaining width.
However, Real Madrid eventually broke the deadlock early in the second half. A short free kick outside the Real Valladolid box led to Valverde’s shot finding the bottom corner, albeit with the aid of a slight deflection.
Arda Guler started in the number 10 role, taking advantage of Jude Bellingham’s absence due to injury.
However, he was substituted in the 69th minute for Diaz, who made an immediate impact by doubling Real Madrid’s lead in the 88th minute. Diaz latched onto a long pass from Eder Militao and chipped the ball over the onrushing Hein.
Mbappe is still in search of his first La Liga goal, but the spotlight shifted to 17-year-old Endrick, who marked his Real Madrid debut with a goal.
The young Brazilian struck a low shot into the bottom corner after a determined run into the penalty area.
Real Madrid’s strong second-half performance ensured they claimed all three points, moving them temporarily into third place in the league table.
Valverde was instrumental in the victory, not only for his goal but also for his tireless work rate and defensive contributions.
The Uruguayan midfielder completed three tackles and boasted a 93% pass success rate, underlining why he’s a key figure in Ancelotti’s squad.
As Real Madrid aim to secure back-to-back wins in La Liga, they will face Las Palmas away on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, Real Valladolid, who showed resilience for much of the match, will seek to bounce back when they host Leganes on Wednesday night.
