The Most Viral Image of Mbappé and Vinícius After the 2-3, Madridism Goes Wild Upon Seeing It

There is no other topic of conversation in the European soccer elite. Real Madrid's victory over Manchester City, in stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium, represents an unexpected shift in trend for everyone in the Old Continent. Carlo Ancelotti's pupils, perhaps in the best match of the current season, take a crucial one-goal advantage for the return leg to be played at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

One of the most outstanding players of the match was Kylian Mbappé. While it is true that the merengue '9' did not start this first leg of the round of 16 in the best way, he showed that he has the necessary character for these matches. His performance was positive, amid a constant climb toward his best version, even leaving the first goal for the white team to make it 1-1 on the scoreboard.

Already in stoppage time, Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest the Bondy striker. Surely thinking about the match against Osasuna, where the defense of the LaLiga leadership is at stake, but also in the return leg of this European tie. Replaced by Fran García, the French striker watched from the bench as Vinícius lobbed the ball over Ederson.

The desperate exit of the Brazilian goalkeeper ended up at the feet of a Jude Bellingham who did not forgive into an empty net. The achievement of the final 2-3, with seconds left in the match, meant an explosion of joy and happiness on the visiting bench at the Etihad Stadium. One of the most excited was Kylian Mbappé.

Very Revealing

Still with his coat unbuttoned, freshly substituted, the Bondy striker did not hesitate to leave the bench and the technical area. Far from crowding with Jude Bellingham, the French '9' went to embrace Vinícius Jr., the assistant to the English '5' for a goal that gives the Madrid team some relief. That reaction from Kylian Mbappé, after many speculations about his fit in the locker room, is quite significant.

The most pessimistic pointed to the Parisian footballer as the one responsible for 'destroying' and completely separating the united white locker room. Nothing could be further from the truth: Mbappé, over time, has managed to find his place alongside footballers like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, or Vinícius Jr. himself.

This embrace between the verdeamarelo forward and Real Madrid's '9' confirms the excellent relationship they have consolidated since the season began. The sporting rivalry remains in a friendly, amicable tone that helps both improve their records. The individual competitiveness is set aside when the team, the most important thing, achieves a historic feat.

Because it is the first time in 13 years that Real Madrid wins at the Etihad Stadium. Both Kylian Mbappé, with his goal, and Vinícius, with two assists, were essential to make a 'statement' on the great European stage and make it clear that it is not so easy to beat them... despite being in the lowest hours of recent seasons according to many analyses.