What changed
Real Madrid beat Racing Santander 3-0 on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a penalty in the 11th minute. Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande added the other goals, keeping third-place Madrid within three points of leaders Barcelona.
Mbappé’s goal came after a turbulent week: he lost the Ballon d’Or to Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and apologised over a social-media video referencing Mao Zedong. Chinese state television did not broadcast the match or other Spanish fixtures that weekend.
Why it matters
On the pitch, Madrid are gathering momentum. They have won six straight matches across all competitions, Mbappé has reached 12 league goals, and Bellingham scored his 50th goal since joining the club in 2023. Barcelona remain ahead after beating Alavés 6-1, while Atlético Madrid sit one point above Real.
The wider consequence is less settled. A social-media controversy involving one of football’s biggest stars has already coincided with a broadcast blackout in China, putting a political and media dimension around an otherwise routine league victory. The report does not establish how long that disruption will last or what commercial effect it will have.
Racing, back in La Liga after 14 seasons away, suffered its first home defeat of the campaign. Madrid controlled much of the match, though Racing’s coach José Alberto said the penalty decision shaped the game.
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