La Liga
Real Madrid
Sep 20, 2025 3.15pm
2
0
HT : 0 0
FT
Espanyol

Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Los Blancos continue stunning start to the season

By | , Last updated:

Real Madrid's stunning start continues as La Liga title hopefuls march on
© Iconsport

Real Madrid extended their 100% start to the 2025-26 campaign to six matches on Saturday afternoon, with Xabi Alonso's side recording a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in La Liga.

Eder Militao's thunderbolt sent Los Blancos ahead in the 22nd minute, before Kylian Mbappe doubled the home side's advantage in the early stages of the second period.

Real Madrid are top of the La Liga table, five points ahead of second-placed Barcelona, while Espanyol remain third, with a strong start to the campaign seeing the Catalan outfit pick up 10 points.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Iconsport

It might be early in the season, but this win has seen Real Madrid move five points ahead of second-placed Barcelona in the La Liga table; the Catalan outfit will have the chance to close the gap back to two points on Sunday, but Real Madrid have been perfect this term, and they have the look of title winners.

Mbappe has been sensational this season, with the Frenchman in red-hot form, finding the back of the net on seven occasions in six appearances in all competitions.

There is such strength in depth in this Los Blancos outfit, and Franco Mastantuono has been a brilliant addition, with the Argentina international again putting in a brilliant performance on Saturday afternoon.

Dani Carvajal and Militao were also strong performers, and a clean sheet is always a positive, so this will go down as a very positive afternoon for Alonso's side.

Real Madrid will now be looking to extend their winning run against Levante on Tuesday night, with that match coming ahead of what is shaping up to be a fascinating derby with Atletico Madrid on September 27.

REAL MADRID VS. ESPANYOL HIGHLIGHTS

Eder Militao goal vs. Espanyol (22nd min, Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol)

Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 22nd minute of the match, and it is Militao on the scoresheet, with the centre-back finding the back of the net with an absolute stunner from distance.

Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Espanyol (47th min, Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol)

Mbappe doubles Real Madrid's lead in the early stages of the second period, as the France international fires into the back of the net from outside the box after smart work from Vinicius Junior down the left.

MAN OF THE MATCH - EDER MILITAO

© Imago

Militao's goal in the first half was outstanding, but it was the centre-back's overall performance that earns him this award, as it was a defensive masterclass from the Brazilian.

The 27-year-old was rock solid at the back for the home side, while he was also excellent on the ball, completing 79 of his 83 passes against Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.

REAL MADRID VS. ESPANYOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Real Madrid 72%-28% Espanyol

Shots: Real Madrid 16-8 Espanyol

Shots on target: Real Madrid 5-1 Espanyol

Corners: Real Madrid 5-3 Espanyol

Fouls: Real Madrid 10-20 Espanyol

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Real Madrid will be aiming to make it seven straight wins in all competitions at the start of the 2025-26 campaign when they head to Levante in La Liga on Tuesday.

Espanyol, meanwhile, will be bidding to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they host Valencia on the same night.

Author photo

Written by

Share this article:

People mentioned in this article :

Teams mentioned in this article :

Real Madrid related articles
Football related articles
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe