Real Madrid vs Espanyol Player Ratings: Militão and Mbappé secure a comfortable 2-0 win

The classic tale of two halves was played between Real Madrid - Espanyol at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid asserted their dominance over a struggling Espanyol side, clinching a 2-0 victory. This La Liga encounter was decided by moments of pure quality. The result never really looked in doubt.

Eder Militao opened the scoring with an absolute rocket. It was a goal out of nowhere in the 22nd minute. That strike really set the tone for the rest of the match. Espanyol had a few moments, but they lacked the final product, looking a little lost.

The second half saw Kylian Mbappé quickly double the lead. His 47th-minute goal, assisted by Vinicius Junior, effectively killed the game. Real Madrid managed the game professionally from then on. They created more chances and could have scored more, to be honest. Espanyol were left chasing shadows for large parts of the game. The visitors frustrated the host as they weren't able to breach their sturdy wall until the 22nd minute. Here are the Real Madrid vs Espanyol player ratings.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Espanyol

Here are the Real Madrid player ratings vs Espanyol.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 7.0: Had a very quiet afternoon. He only faced one shot on target, which he saved comfortably. What stood out to us was his distribution, completing 86% of his passes. He looked calm and composed whenever called upon. A spectator for large periods of the game, which is a credit to his defence.

Defenders

Daniel Carvajal - 7.5: A very solid performance from the captain. He was a rock defensively, winning 7 of his 10 duels. He also got forward well, creating a chance and always offering an outlet. His experience showed as he marshaled the backline effectively. A typically reliable and energetic display from the right-back.

Éder Militão - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. He scored a sensational goal from distance to break the deadlock. Defensively, he was a beast, with a last-man tackle and three blocked shots. He had a massive 116 touches, showing his involvement all over the pitch. The Brazilian was simply immense and a deserving highest-rated player.

Raúl Asencio - 7.0: A steady and assured performance alongside Militão. He was positionally sound and won most of his duels. With 97% pass accuracy, he was crucial in building from the back. Didn't do anything spectacular, but he didn't need to. A very composed and mature display.

Álvaro Carreras - 7.5: An absolute workhorse on the left flank. He was involved in everything, racking up 121 touches. He created two chances and was a constant threat going forward. Defensively, he won 7 duels and made two interceptions. A really impressive, all-action performance.

Midfielders

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 7.0: The anchor that allowed others to shine. He screened the defence brilliantly, with an interception and a crucial tackle. His passing was near-perfect at 97%, keeping the game ticking over. He picked up a yellow card but it was a necessary foul. A quietly excellent performance.

Federico Valverde - 8.0: Non-stop energy and quality from the Uruguayan. He provided a smart assist for Militão's thunderbolt. He was everywhere, recovering the ball 8 times and making 4 tackles. His driving runs from midfield caused Espanyol problems all day. An indispensable part of this Madrid engine room.

Franco Mastantuono - 7.5: What a display from the youngster. He was fearless, attempting 9 dribbles and completing 6 of them. He won an incredible 12 duels, showing he's not afraid of the physical side. He also created a big chance and looked like a constant spark. The yellow card was the only blot on an exciting performance.

Forwards

Vinicius Junior - 7.0: A frustrating but ultimately effective game. He grabbed the assist for Mbappé's goal and was unlucky to hit the post. However, we noticed he lost possession 14 times which was far too often. He always looked dangerous, but his final decision let him down on occasion. A mixed bag, but his contribution was decisive.

Kylian Mbappé - 7.5: Got his goal with a clinical finish early in the second half. He was a constant threat, taking 8 shots in total. From our perspective, he should have scored more, missing two big chances. His movement and pace were a nightmare for the Espanyol defence. Job done, but he'll feel he could have had a hat-trick.

Gonzalo García - 6.0: A quiet game for the forward. He struggled to get involved, touching the ball just 26 times. He worked hard but couldn't find a way to impact the proceedings. He was substituted around the hour mark after an anonymous showing.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: Several players like Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Güler came on. They helped see out the game and maintain control. However, none were on the pitch long enough to warrant a specific rating.

Manager

X. Alonso Olano - 8.0: His game plan worked to perfection. Madrid controlled possession and territory from the start. The team looked balanced and dangerous. His substitutions were sensible, allowing key players a rest. A very comfortable and well-managed victory for his side.

Espanyol Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Here are the Espanyol player ratings va Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper

Manuel Iori - 6.5: He couldn't do anything about either goal. He actually made three saves, two from inside the box. Without him, the scoreline could have been much worse. He looked a bit shaky on his long-ball distribution. A decent performance in a losing effort.

Defenders

Omar El Hilali - 7.5: Espanyol's best player by a country mile. The right-back was a tackling machine, winning an incredible 7 of his 8 tackles. He also won 10 duels and made 4 clearances. He fought bravely against the tide. It was a performance full of heart and determination.

Fernando Calero - 5.5: A difficult day at the office for the center-back. He missed a glorious chance to get his team back in the game. He was part of a defence that was constantly under pressure. He struggled to cope with Madrid's fluid attack. A day he will want to forget.

Ludovic Taillandier - 5.5: Much like his defensive partner, he had a tough time. He was often pulled out of position by Mbappé's movement. His passing from the back was not reliable enough under pressure. He won just one duel throughout the game. It was a real struggle for him.

Carlos Romero - 6.0: He worked tirelessly on the left, recovering the ball 9 times. He also won 6 duels which shows his commitment. However, he lost possession 12 times and was caught out defensively. A very mixed performance full of effort but lacking quality.

Midfielders

Urko González de Zárate - 5.0: From our perspective, he was the worst performer on the pitch. He was completely overrun in midfield. He lost possession 10 times and won only two duels. He offered little protection to his defence and was a passenger for most of the game. A really poor showing.

Javi Puado - 6.0: The captain tried to make things happen but was ineffective. He was neat on the ball with 92% pass accuracy. But he created very little and was mostly on the periphery of the game. He was substituted with just over ten minutes to go after a quiet match.

Edu Expósito - 6.0: He had Espanyol's only shot on target in the first minute. He also created a big chance that Calero missed. However, he faded badly as the game went on. He lost possession 9 times before being subbed off just after the hour.

Pol Lozano - 5.5: He was tidy in possession but had no real impact on the game. He was bypassed too easily by the Madrid midfield. He failed to offer any offensive threat. It was an anonymous performance before his substitution.

Tyrhys Dolan - 5.5: He battled hard, winning 5 duels and recovering the ball 8 times. But his quality on the ball was lacking. He completed only 75% of his passes. He ran a lot but to very little effect. It was a frustrating evening for him.

Forwards

Roberto Fernández - 5.5: A thankless task for the lone striker. He was completely isolated and starved of service. He touched the ball just 19 times in 84 minutes. He won a few free-kicks but that was his only real contribution. A tough day at the Bernabeu.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: Players like Luca Koleosho and Jofre Carreras were introduced. They brought some fresh energy but couldn't change the game's dynamic. Madrid's control was too strong for the subs to make a meaningful impact.

Manager

J. González Álvarez - 5.0: His team was set up to be defensive but they were breached easily. They offered very little going forward. His substitutions didn't change the course of the match. Espanyol looked out of their depth and the manager couldn't find any answers.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Eder Militao