Real Madrid consolidates Liga leadership with fifth straight win, eyes Levante clash

Real Madrid extended their flawless start to the 2025/26 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu. Goals from Eder Militao and Kylian Mbappé sealed the result, maintaining the team’s perfect record of five wins from five league matches under coach Xabi Alonso. This win sees Real Madrid continue their ascendancy at the summit of the standings, while the Espanyol side, who had been third in the table, were subdued by the reigning champions’ control and clinical finishing.

Match overview and key moments

The first half belonged entirely to Real Madrid, who dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities. Militao opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range shot that left Espanyol’s keeper Dimitrovic helpless. Early in the second half, Mbappé impressed with a sublime strike following a precise assist from Vinicius Jr., doubling the advantage. The French forward was a constant threat, twice coming close to a third goal but was denied by the goalkeeper and the woodwork. Espanyol's efforts were largely ineffectual, highlighted by their limited ability to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm or create clear chances.

Tactical insights and squad updates

Coach Xabi Alonso fielded a well-organized side that balanced solid defensive structure with incisive attacking play. The returns of Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham added fresh energy and options in midfield, bolstering the squad depth ahead of a demanding schedule. Defensive resilience was evident, as the team kept their first clean sheet since the match at Carlos Tartiere nearly a month earlier. Offensively, the combination of Vinicius and Mbappé continues to flourish, with the Brazilian’s pace and creativity perfectly complementing Mbappé’s finishing prowess.

Looking ahead: Levante challenge and title chase

Real Madrid now prepares for their next challenge against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium on September 23. The match, scheduled for 21:30 CET and broadcast live on Movistar LaLiga, offers an opportunity to extend their winning streak to six consecutive league matches. Levante, who have struggled to find consistency this season, will aim to leverage home advantage to challenge the league leaders and halt their momentum. With the derby against Atlético Madrid looming, a positive result against Levante is vital for Madrid to maintain pressure at the top of the table.

La Liga standings after matchday 5

Following this latest win, Real Madrid sits firmly atop the league table with a perfect 15 points from five matches. Barcelona and Espanyol trail behind with 10 points each, while Atletico Madrid remains mid-table with 5 points. This strong start has positioned Madrid well for the title race, demonstrating the hallmark resilience and quality expected of champions.

The team’s ability to grind out results, even when not playing at peak performance, as witnessed against Espanyol, underlines their championship credentials. As Dani Carvajal reflected, "Mejor no se puede hacer. Lo bueno es que cada vez encontramos mejor la manera de jugar que quiere el mister, estamos cogiendo mejor los conceptos. Y encima, los resultados acompañan. Así que idílico."

Villarreal prepare for Sevilla encounter amid injury woes

Elsewhere in La Liga, Villarreal aim to build on their recent victory over Osasuna despite multiple absences. Key players like Gerard Moreno, Ayoze Pérez, and Juan Foyth are sidelined, forcing adjustments in defense and attack. The probable lineup includes Luiz Júnior in goal, with a backline featuring Santiago Mouriño, Rafa Marín, René Veiga, and Santi Cardona. Midfield duties fall to Santi Comesaña and Dani Parejo, supported by wingers Tajon Buchanan and Alberto Moleiro. Attack options such as Georges Mikautadze and Tani Oluwaseyi or Nicolás Pepe will seek to carry the offensive burden against Sevilla.

As La Liga intensifies, teams across the competition are gearing up for a gripping series of fixtures, with Real Madrid looking to extend their dominance and challengers seeking to close the gap.