Real Madrid vs Espanyol Lineups: Official XI & 2-0 Win

When Real Madrid hosted Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu on September 20, 2025, it marked the clubs’ first meeting since Espanyol pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory over the Whites back in February—a result that still lingers in the memory for fans on both sides. This time, Carlo Ancelotti’s side had the chance to set the record straight on Matchday 5 of La Liga, and Kylian Mbappé delivered exactly that, scoring and earning Man of the Match honors in a 2-0 win in front of 73,466 supporters.

Match Date: 20 Sept 2025 ·
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol ·
MOTM: Mbappé ·
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu

The table below compiles match specifications from multiple sources for quick reference.

Who is the man of the match in Real Madrid vs. Espanyol?

Kylian Mbappé took home the Man of the Match award following his decisive performance in the 2-0 victory. The French forward’s movement and finishing proved too much for Espanyol’s defense, and his contribution on the night underscored why Real Madrid invested heavily to bring him to the Bernabéu. According to WhoScored match data, the result moved Real Madrid level on points with league leaders as the season’s early fixtures take shape.

Recent award: Mbappé in 2-0 win

Mbappé’s performance came despite a competitive buildup. Sports Illustrated had noted ahead of the match that Sports Illustrated match preview Real Madrid held four wins from their previous five head-to-head meetings with Espanyol, yet the visitors had shown they could cause an upset. The forward ensured there was no repeat of February’s shock result.

Who is Real Madrid’s top scorer?

Real Madrid’s scoring records span multiple eras and legendary players. While this match saw Mbappé find the net, historical leaders like Cristiano Ronaldo (who departed the club several seasons ago) still hold the highest tallies in the club’s statistical record books. Sports Illustrated historical records provide context on Real Madrid’s all-time scoring hierarchy, with Mbappé still building toward those landmark figures early in his Bernabéu career.

Current leaders

The current roster includes multiple players capable of scoring—Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo among them. In this match, it was Mbappé who converted, adding to his early-season tally. The attacking depth gives Ancelotti flexibility in how he sets up his forward line.

Historical records

According to available records, Real Madrid’s all-time top scorers include names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl González, and Alfredo Di Stéfano. These records serve as benchmarks for any new arrival, though Mbappé’s trajectory suggests he could challenge those figures given sufficient time and consistent opportunity.

Who is the captain of Real Madrid vs Espanyol lineups?

Dani Carvajal captained Real Madrid for this fixture, wearing the armband at right-back in Ancelotti’s starting eleven. Sky Sports team confirmed the captaincy assignment, which fell to the experienced Spain international given his seniority in the squad.

Confirmed captain

Carvajal’s leadership on the pitch brings consistency to a backline that also featured Eder Militão, who entered the match as a substitute. The captain helped organize the defense as Real Madrid kept a clean sheet against Espanyol’s attacking efforts.

Lineup positions

The confirmed Real Madrid XI was: Courtois; Carvajal (c), Asencio, Militão, Á. Carreras; Tchouameni, Valverde; Mastantuono, Vini Jr., Mbappé; Gonzalo. Real Madrid official announcement published this lineup ahead of kick-off at 16:15 CEST.

Who has no 10 in Real Madrid?

Real Madrid’s legendary No. 10 lineage includes some of football’s greatest names, but the current squad saw Kylian Mbappé take the iconic jersey number. The French forward inherited the shirt following a period of transition at the club, Sports Illustrated squad analysis reported, as part of Real Madrid’s evolution in their attacking philosophy.

Kylian Mbappé takes No. 10

Mbappé’s arrival ended a brief vacancy for the No. 10, which had been unfilled following previous transitions in the squad. The jersey carries enormous expectation at the Bernabéu, and Mbappé’s performance on Matchday 5 suggested he understands the weight of that tradition.

Greatest No. 10s history

Real Madrid’s No. 10 tradition includes players who defined eras: Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, and others who left indelible marks on the club’s history. For Mbappé to be mentioned in that company, he will need sustained excellence across multiple seasons.

Who is the 17 year old playing for Real Madrid?

Franco Mastantuono, just 17 years old, started in midfield for Real Madrid against Espanyol. The Argentine youngster signed from River Plate and represented a significant investment in youth talent by the club. Real Madrid official announcement included him in the announced starting XI, marking one of his early opportunities in La Liga.

Franco Mastantuono signing

Mastantuono’s transfer from River Plate drew attention across European football, with multiple clubs reportedly interested before Real Madrid secured his signature. His inclusion in the Matchday 5 lineup showed Ancelotti’s willingness to blood young talent in competitive fixtures.

Potential debut

Whether Mastantuono’s start constituted an official debut or continued his adaptation to European football, his presence in the starting eleven signaled Real Madrid’s approach to integrating promising players into the first team setup. His performance on the night gave observers further evidence of his potential.

The lineup comparison below shows how both teams lined up on matchday.

Espanyol lineup and key absences

Espanyol traveled to the Bernabéu missing several key players, most notably Pere Milla and José Gragera due to long-term muscle injuries. Sports Illustrated match preview reported that Brian Oliván had been sidelined with a calf problem since March 2025, further weakening their defensive options. J. Puado captained the side from midfield despite these absences.

Key substitutions during the match

Several substitutions shaped the second half. According to Sky Sports match report, Real Madrid made changes including Bellingham (89′), Camavinga (90′), Rodrygo (77′), Güler (61′), and Díaz (77′), while Espanyol introduced Koleosho (63′), Carreras (63′), Pickel (63′), García Martinez (77′), and Roca (84′).

The substitutions demonstrated Ancelotti’s squad depth, with proven performers like Jude Bellingham available from the bench. For Espanyol, managing the workload of key players while competing away from home required careful rotation.

Historical context: H2H record before September 2025

Heading into this fixture, Real Madrid had won four of their previous five meetings against Espanyol, with Espanyol’s single victory being February’s 1-0 result. Sports Illustrated historical analysis recorded no draws between the sides in that sample, underscoring the polarized nature of this fixture.

Expert perspectives

“The Whites’ team is: Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Militão, Á. Carreras, Tchouameni, Valverde, Mastantuono, Vini Jr., Mbappé, Gonzalo.”

— Real Madrid Official (Club Announcement)

“Espanyol missing Pere Milla, José Gragera (long-term muscle injury), and Brian Oliván (calf injury since March 2025)…”

— Sports Illustrated (Match Preview)

The match preview from Sports Illustrated match coverage also noted the head-to-head record favored Real Madrid but acknowledged Espanyol’s capacity to spring surprises, as they had done in February 2025.

Looking ahead

The next chapter of this fixture comes on 3 May 2026, when Espanyol host Real Madrid at RCDE Stadium. Sports Illustrated fixture scheduling reported this date as the scheduled return leg, which will test whether Espanyol can reproduce their February upset or whether Real Madrid continue their dominance in this matchup.

For Real Madrid, the 2-0 result provides momentum as they navigate a congested fixture list. Espanyol must regroup after this defeat and address the injury situation while finding solutions in the final third. The trajectory of both clubs through the 2025/26 season will determine how significant this Matchday 5 result proves to be.