Real Madrid Cruise Past Espanyol to Maintain Perfect La Liga Start

Real Madrid extended their flawless start to the La Liga season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu in Matchday 5.

Despite Espanyol’s reputation as a tricky opponent, the Catalan side offered little resistance against a composed and clinical Madrid. In the 27th minute, it was Éder Militão who broke the deadlock with a well-placed header after a pinpoint cross from Federico Valverde.

Just moments into the second half, the hosts doubled their lead thanks to their dynamic attacking duo. Vinícius Júnior surged down the flank and squared the ball to Kylian Mbappé, who calmly slotted home his latest goal in white — continuing his electric form since arriving in Madrid.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real - Espanyol 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Militão, 22 (1:0); Mbappé, 47 (2:0)

Real: Courtois; Carvajal; Militão; Asencio R.; Fernandez Ál.; Tchouaméni (Camavinga, 90); García G. (Güler A., 61); Valverde F.; Mastantuono (Diaz Br., 77); Vinícius Júnior (Rodrygo, 77); Mbappé (Bellingham, 89)
Substitution: Güler A. (from 61); Diaz Br. (from 77); Rodrygo (from 77); Bellingham (from 89); Camavinga (from 90)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Alaba; García Fr.; Jimenez D.; Dani Ceballos; Endrick
Yellow Cards: Tchouaméni 37; Mastantuono 75

Espanyol: Dmitrović; Gonzalez U.; Calero F.; Cabrera L.; El Hilali; Edu Expósito (Koleosho, 63); Lozano P. (Carreras, 63); Dolan (Pickel, 63); Romero; Javi Puado (Kike García, 77); Fernández Rob. (Roca, 84)
Substitution: Pickel (from 63); Koleosho (from 63); Carreras (from 63); Kike García (from 77); Roca (from 84)
Bench: Fortuno; Sanchez Ru.; Salinas; Rubio; Riedel C.; Ramón; Hernandez J.