Mbappé and Militão fire Real Madrid past Espanyol to maintain perfect La Liga start

Key facts

• Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 on May 3, 2026, at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
• Éder Militão opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a right-footed shot into the top corner.
• Kylian Mbappé doubled the lead in the 47th minute, curling a strike into the bottom corner.
• Mbappé has seven goals in six games this season, including a double against Marseille in the Champions League.
• Jude Bellingham made his first appearance since shoulder surgery on July 16, coming on as a late substitute.
• Eduardo Camavinga also returned from an ankle injury, substituting in the same period.
• Real Madrid have won 10 of their last 11 home games at the Bernabéu.
• Espanyol suffered their first loss of the season after starting with three wins and a draw.

A statement win at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, defeating Espanyol 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu in a Matchday 34 La Liga fixture. The victory preserved Los Blancos' perfect start to the campaign — five wins from five rounds — and propelled them five points clear of both Espanyol and Barcelona at the top of the standings. Espanyol arrived in the capital just two points behind Madrid and undefeated after their best opening four rounds in three decades. But they left with their first defeat of the season, unable to cope with two moments of individual brilliance from distance.

Militão's thunderbolt breaks the deadlock

The match began cautiously, with Real Madrid struggling to string together cohesive attacking moves. Espanyol's defense sat deep, inviting pressure but denying space in the box. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, when Brazil defender Éder Militão received the ball well outside the area and unleashed a right-footed screamer that flew into the top corner. Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic managed to get his fingertips to the ball but could not keep it out. Espanyol responded with intent of their own. Just before halftime, Edu Expósito's swerving free-kick delivery bounced agonizingly past the outstretched leg of Fernando Calero, inches from an equalizer. At the other end, Kylian Mbappé had a promising chance but failed to direct his effort on target.

Mbappé's seventh goal seals the points

Real Madrid doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half. Mbappé, given time and space on the edge of the box, picked his spot in the bottom corner and smashed a strike that Dmitrovic could only watch nestle into the net. It was the French forward's seventh goal of the season in all competitions, following a double in Madrid's 2-1 Champions League win over Marseille three days earlier. "When you are facing a defense set well inside its area, you have to try from long range," coach Xabi Alonso said after the match. "Militão's goal was very good, and Kylian scored in transition. We are taking steps forward and continue to grow."

Espanyol's response falls short

Trailing by two goals, Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez made a triple substitution in an attempt to change the game's momentum. But the changes backfired almost immediately, as Madrid nearly added a third when Mbappé's shot was parried into the path of Vinícius Júnior, who struck the post from a tight angle. Espanyol had their chances late on. Antoniu Roca saw a right-footed shot blocked from outside the box, and Leandro Cabrera headed wide from a corner in added time. But the visitors rarely troubled Madrid's defense, and the contest drifted toward an inevitable conclusion. The win extended Madrid's unbeaten run at the Bernabéu to 10 wins in their last 11 home games.

Bellingham and Camavinga return from injury

The match also marked the return of two key players. England midfielder Jude Bellingham came on as a late substitute for his first appearance since undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on July 16. Eduardo Camavinga also entered the fray alongside Bellingham after several weeks out with an ankle injury. Their returns provide a significant boost to Alonso's squad depth as the season enters its decisive phase. Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old Argentine midfielder, was named Man of the Match for his composed display in the center of the park. The teenager's performance underscored Madrid's growing reliance on young talent.

Title race implications and what lies ahead

Real Madrid's fifth consecutive win leaves them five points clear of Espanyol and Barcelona, who face fifth-placed Getafe on Sunday at their temporary home, the 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff. A Barcelona slip would further strengthen Madrid's grip on the title race. For Espanyol, the defeat ends an unbeaten start that had raised hopes of a strong campaign. They remain third but now face the challenge of regrouping after their first setback. The result also highlighted the gulf in quality between the sides: Madrid's ability to score from distance proved decisive against a well-organized but ultimately limited opponent.

Alonso's Madrid continues to evolve

Xabi Alonso's tenure as Real Madrid manager has begun with remarkable consistency: 11 wins, one draw, and one loss in all competitions. The team's 100% league record, built on a blend of defensive solidity and explosive attacking transitions, suggests a clear tactical identity is taking shape. "We are taking steps forward and continue to grow," Alonso said. The statement applies not only to the team's results but also to its style — patient buildup punctuated by sudden, devastating strikes from range. With key players returning from injury and a five-point lead in La Liga, Madrid look well placed to sustain their momentum through the season's defining weeks.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid's perfect start to La Liga continues with five wins from five, moving them five points clear of Espanyol and Barcelona.
• Éder Militão and Kylian Mbappé scored from long range, highlighting Madrid's ability to break down deep defenses.
• Mbappé has seven goals in six games this season, including a Champions League double against Marseille.
• Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga returned from injury as late substitutes, boosting squad depth.
• Espanyol suffered their first loss of the season after an unbeaten start of three wins and a draw.
• Franco Mastantuono was named Man of the Match, underscoring the emergence of young talent at Madrid.