Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol: Militao and Mbappé guide the Whites to their 5th straight win

Real Madrid secured their fifth consecutive victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, this time defeating Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu (2-0). Xabi Alonso's team dominated the match with authority and, thanks to goals from Éder Militao and Kylian Mbappé, they have 15 points out of a possible 15 in the tournament.

The Tolosa-born coach opted for a very offensive team, returning Vinicius and Gonzalo García to the starting XI, in addition to Raúl Asencio in place of the suspended Dean Huijsen. Espanyol came from a great start to the season, with three wins and a draw, but failed to even put up a good fight in the defeat at Chamartín.

A great goal from Militao put Real Madrid ahead in the first half

Madrid started somewhat sluggishly, conceding a shot from Urko González from the edge of the box in the 2nd minute and another very dangerous chance from Javi Puado in the 15th minute, cut out by Militao. However, after the opening quarter of an hour, the Whites took control of the midfield. 

The home side had barely appeared in the opposition's area until Militao, in the 22nd minute, took advantage of the passivity in Espanyol's defensive retreat to unleash a powerful long-range shot that surprised Dmitrovic. The ball went straight into the top corner, unstoppable for the Serbian goalkeeper.

With the lead, Madrid found more depth on the flanks with Vinicius and Mastantuono. Mbappé also took advantage of the spaces freed up by Gonzalo. Before the break, 'Kiki' wasted a penalty in motion, arriving forced to finish a pass from Vini from the left.

Calero also missed the best chance for the 'Pericos' in the first half, after arriving a second late to a chipped cross that surprised Courtois. Thus culminated a very entertaining first half, dominated by the 'Merengues', but with very dangerous chances for the visitors.

Kylian Mbappé finished the match with a 'locker room goal'

Kylian Mbappé's shot that gave Real Madrid the 2-0 lead against Espanyol

However, Manolo González's hopes of getting back into the game vanished as soon as they returned from the dressing rooms. In the 47th minute, a shot from Mbappé from the edge of the area deflected slightly off an opponent, unbalancing Dmitrovic. The Serbian was caught off guard, surprised by the speed of the ball.

The 2-0 practically sealed the match, although Espanyol sought to react with the introductions of Jofre Carreras, Pickel, Koleosho and the experienced Kike García. Beyond some crosses into the heart of the area, especially with set-piece plays, the 'Pericos' did not find solutions to try to get closer to a consolation goal.

Closer, however, was Madrid to the third. A ball off the post from Vinicius and another shot from the '7' deflected by Dmitrovic came close to extending the lead. Xabi Alonso brought on Arda Güler, Rodrygo and Brahim in the final stretch, in addition to the reappearances of Camavinga and Bellingham, variants that did not generate too much in attack for the Whites.

With the victory, Real Madrid reaches 5 points and, for now, is 5 points ahead of FC Barcelona, waiting to see what Hansi Flick's team does this Sunday when they host Getafe (21:00 CEST). The 'Pericos', meanwhile, remain with 10 points.

In matchday 6, during the week, the Whites visit Levante, while Espanyol hosts Mallorca (both matches are played on Tuesday). Next Saturday, the 27th, will be the turn of the first Atlético-Real Madrid derby, at 16:15 at the Metropolitano.

Match details: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol

• Real Madrid, 2: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouaméni (Camavinga, min. 85), Valverde; Mastantuono (Brahim, min. 77), Vinicius (Rodrygo, min. 77), Mbappé (Bellingham, min. 85); Gonzalo (Güler, min. 60).
• Espanyol, 0: Dmitrovic; El Hilali; Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Urko, Edu Expósito (Koleosho, min. 63), Pol Lozano (Jofre Carreras, min. 63); Dolan (Pickel, min. 63), Puado (García, min. 68) and Roberto (Roca, min. 84).
• Goals: 1-0, Éder Militao (min. 22); 2-0, Kylian Mbappé (min. 47)
• Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera. Booked Aurélien Tchouaméni and Franco Mastantuono.
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.
• Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 5 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.