Real Madrid beat Racing de Santander 3-0 on Sunday, Nov. 1, while the game went unaired on Chinese state television after backlash over French forward Kylian Mbappe’s video joke, AFP reported.
Mbappe put Madrid ahead from the penalty spot in the 11th minute. Jude Bellingham extended the lead in the 21st, and Yan Diomande scored in the 36th, giving Madrid a three-goal margin before halftime, AFP reported.
Bellingham finished a chance created by Arda Guler, while Diomande struck from the edge of the box. Bellingham’s late attempt at a second goal was ruled out for offside. Racing was awarded a penalty after a handball by Aurelien Tchouameni, but video review reversed the decision, AFP reported.
The result left Madrid third in La Liga, no more than three points behind leader Barcelona. Atletico Madrid remained one point ahead of Madrid after beating Levante 2-0, while Barcelona had defeated Alaves 6-1 on Saturday. Mbappe now has 12 league goals, compared with 15 for Barcelona’s Raphinha. Madrid has won six consecutive matches in all competitions, AFP reported.
AFP linked Mbappe’s apology to an uproar around a social-media video in which he joked about Mao Zedong. The agency also reported that Chinese state television omitted Madrid’s game and other Spanish fixtures that weekend. EconoTimes previously covered the reaction in China and the cultural context around Mbappe’s joke.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said his side began well and had enough chances to increase its lead. Racing coach Jose Alberto said Madrid’s early pressure was difficult to handle and that the first goal and penalty shaped the contest; he also expressed frustration with Madrid’s penalty award, AFP reported.
Racing is 16th in the league. The defeat was its first at home this season, following the club’s return to La Liga after 14 seasons away, AFP reported.
