Spanish champions Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday after Kylian Mbappé made his debut for the Santiago Bernabeu without scoring.

The French striker played for the first time at home in a Real Madrid shirt, but he was frustrated by the Valladolid defence.

Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde opened the scoring after 50 minutes with a low deflected free-kick and substitutes Brahim Diaz and debutant Endrick scored in the closing stages.

Madrid created little in the first half but did enough after the break to secure their first win of the season, following an opening-stage draw at Real Mallorca.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side still lacked a fluid attack and remained two points behind rivals Barcelona, ​​who beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Ancelotti brought on Arda Guler for the injured Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be out for a month with a calf injury.

Real Valladolid were the only team in the division to keep a clean sheet in the opening match and from the start they looked to frustrate the champions.

A deflected effort from Darwin Machis just missed, but otherwise it was all hands on deck for the visitors in defence.

Aurelien Tchouameni fired over the ball from long range as Madrid dominated the ball without creating any danger in the Spanish capital.

In the second half, Madrid started with more vigor and quickly took the lead.

Valverde broke the deadlock with a low free kick.

Madrid should have doubled their lead, but Rodrygo missed his pass while Vinicius was waiting in the middle to score.

Mbappe wasted a golden opportunity when Vinicius played the ball to him, but Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein made a great save.

The French captain had another chance on a counter but fired wide before being replaced by 18-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick.

Mbappe made his dream move to Madrid this summer at the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain after years of ties, scoring on his debut in a UEFA Super Cup triumph.

In La Liga, Mbappé has failed to score in his first two games, with Ancelotti working on perfecting his formation to get the best out of the club’s attackers.

Diaz sealed Madrid’s victory in the 88th minute with a fine lob after collecting a long ball from defender Eder Militao.

In injury time, the Spanish playmaker offered the ball to Endrick, who fired it in at the near post, marking his debut for the club in style.

Later on Sunday, Atletico Madrid will host Girona, last season’s surprise, among others.

rbs/pb