Overview
- On Matchday 16 at Mendizorroza, Kylian Mbappé struck on 24 minutes, Carlos Vicente leveled on 68, and Rodrygo restored Madrid’s lead on 76 from a Vinícius Júnior cross.
- Thibaut Courtois preserved the advantage with key stops, including a point-blank save off Pablo Ibáñez just before halftime.
- Real Madrid move to 39 points to stay second in LaLiga, four behind Barcelona after the leaders’ win over Osasuna.
- Injuries and suspensions stretched the squad, prompting a makeshift back line and the senior debut of youth left-back Víctor Valdepeñas.
- Reports describe a necessary but unconvincing display as a congested week looms, with a Copa del Rey tie at Talavera and a league meeting with Sevilla.