Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
Real Madrid have continued their 100% record across all competitions with victory over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Xabi Alonso made some interesting tactical changes for the match, with Gonzalo Garcia brought in to form a partnership in attack with Kylian Mbappe. But it was neither player that has opened the scoring – instead, it was an unlikely source that has broken the deadlock.
Real Madrid struggled to make any clear chances in the opening 23 minutes, and their opening goal could barely be called that too. Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, Eder Militao drove forward before launching a ferocious strike that left Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic with no chance.
Espanyol had caused issues for Los Blancos, with Fernando Calero and Tyrhys Dolan having had chances to score past Thibaut Courtois. But with neither taken, Real Madrid would make them pay only minutes into the second period – and it was the familiar face of Mbappe who continued his excellent form with a fantastic strike of his own from outside of the penalty area.
Real Madrid should have added a third soon after as Mbappe was twice denied by Dmitrovic before Vinicius Junior struck an effort against the post. In the end, it mattered little, and there were smiles aplenty around the Bernabeu when Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham made their respective returns to action following length spells on the sidelines.
Six wins out of six for Real Madrid this season – five in La Liga
It has been a very promising start to the Alonso era for Real Madrid, who remain top of La Liga with their fifth win from five matches. It’s a result that takes them five points clear at the top of the standings, although this could be cut by Barcelona if they were to defeat Getafe on Sunday evening.
