Real Madrid extended their flawless start to the LaLiga season with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, thanks to goals from Eder Militao and Kylian Mbappe in each half. The result handed Espanyol their first defeat of the campaign.
The win keeps Real Madrid firmly atop the league table on 15 points from five matches, five points clear of both Espanyol and Barcelona. The reigning champions also have a game in hand ahead of Sunday’s clash with Getafe.
Centre-back Militao put Real ahead in the 22nd minute with a spectacular 30-metre strike, leaving Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic with no chance as the ball flew into the top-left corner.
Shortly after the interval, Mbappe extended Real’s advantage with a precise curling effort from the edge of the box, assisted by a marauding Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian winger’s pace and creativity proved a constant threat down the left flank, linking effectively with Mbappe and left-back Alvaro Carreras to create numerous opportunities.
Despite arriving in Madrid unbeaten in their first four matches, Espanyol struggled to match Real’s intensity in what became an unexpected top-of-the-table clash.
Vinicius nearly added to his assist tally in the 65th minute, striking the post from close range after a rebound, and was denied again minutes later by a fine save from Dmitrovic. Real could have entered the break with a wider margin, but Militao’s opener and Vinicius’ creativity ensured they maintained control throughout.
“I’m happy. I think we played a complete game,” captain Dani Carvajal told Real Madrid TV. “We suffered very little defensively against a well-organised, intense opponent who started the season with 10 points out of 12. We’re still at the top of the table, and we’ve achieved our goal today.”
Real were further boosted by the return of Jude Bellingham, who made his first appearance of the 2025-26 season in the 88th minute following a two-month absence due to shoulder surgery.
