Real Madrid began their preparations for the 2025–26 season in convincing style with a 4-0 victory over Austrian side WSG Tirol in Innsbruck on Tuesday evening. The friendly match, played at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol, gave fans their first glimpse of the squad in action since their FIFA Club World Cup triumph earlier this summer. It was also an opportunity for head coach Xabi Alonso to experiment with his lineup and integrate new signings ahead of the upcoming LaLiga campaign.
Early Domination and Mbappé’s Brilliance
The match started at a lively pace, with Real Madrid asserting dominance from the first whistle. Éder Militão broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, rising highest to meet a pinpoint corner and power a header past the Tirol goalkeeper. Just three minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage when Arda Güler, operating as a creative force in midfield, threaded an exquisite ball into the path of Kylian Mbappé. The French forward, who netted 43 goals in his debut season for Madrid, made no mistake, slotting calmly into the bottom corner.
Mbappé looked sharp and eager to impress, constantly making runs behind the defence and linking well with his teammates. His first goal showcased his trademark movement and composure, while his understanding with Güler hinted at a partnership that could prove decisive for Madrid this season.
Second-Half Control and More Goals
The second half began with Madrid continuing to dictate the tempo, their crisp passing and positional play overwhelming the Austrian side. In the 59th minute, Mbappé struck again. Aurélien Tchouaméni, spotting a gap in the Tirol backline, played a perfectly weighted through ball. Mbappé latched on, took a touch to steady himself, and calmly rolled the ball into the net for his second of the night, making it 3-0.
Alonso then made seven changes, introducing a mix of regular first-team players and youngsters looking to stake their claim for more minutes in the new season. Among them was Brazilian forward Rodrygo, who wasted no time making an impact.
In the 82nd minute, Madrid sealed the win with a fourth goal. Mbappé, still hungry despite having two goals to his name, combined brilliantly with Rodrygo. After a quick exchange of passes, Mbappé returned the ball to the Brazilian with a perfectly timed assist, and Rodrygo coolly slotted home.
Goal Summary – WSG Tirol 0–4 Real Madrid
- 10’ – Éder Militão (0-1): Militão rose highest to meet a corner kick and powered a header into the net to give Madrid an early lead.
- 13’ – Kylian Mbappé (0-2): Arda Güler slipped a precise through ball into Mbappé’s path, and the Frenchman finished calmly into the bottom corner.
- 59’ – Kylian Mbappé (0-3): Aurélien Tchouaméni played Mbappé in behind the defence, and the forward coolly slotted past the goalkeeper for his second goal of the night.
- 82’ – Rodrygo (0-4): After a quick one-two with Mbappé, Rodrygo received a perfectly timed return pass and slotted home to seal the win.
Arda Güler Shines Despite Bad Luck
While Mbappé grabbed the headlines, Arda Güler was arguably Madrid’s most eye-catching performer. The Turkish midfielder, still just 20 years old, was at the heart of Madrid’s attacking play. He struck the woodwork twice, narrowly missing out on a goal of his own, and his assist for Mbappé’s opener demonstrated his vision and passing range. His performance will no doubt give Alonso something to think about when selecting his starting XI for the LaLiga opener.
New Signings and Tactical Adjustments
The match also featured three of Madrid’s summer signings in the starting lineup. Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed at right-back, provided width and precision delivery from the flank. Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras, both highly rated young defenders, also impressed with their composure on the ball and positional awareness.
Alonso opted for an aggressive pressing system in the first half, forcing Tirol into mistakes and allowing Madrid to win the ball high up the pitch. In the second half, he experimented with a slower, possession-heavy approach, ensuring all players got valuable minutes in the build-up to the competitive season.
Looking Ahead to LaLiga
This fixture was Madrid’s only official preseason friendly due to a curtailed schedule. The team returned to training on August 4 following their Club World Cup duties in the United States, meaning Alonso had limited time to prepare his squad for the 2025–26 campaign.
Madrid will kick off their LaLiga season against Osasuna on August 19, and Alonso will be encouraged by the sharpness his players displayed against Tirol. While the opposition was modest compared to what awaits in Spain’s top flight, the match served as a confidence booster and a chance to test new combinations on the pitch.
Injury Concerns and Squad Depth
One concern for Madrid heading into the new season is the growing list of midfield injuries, with Eduardo Camavinga among those currently sidelined. However, performances from Güler, Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde in this match suggested that Madrid still possess the depth to cope in the short term.
As for Mbappé, his brace and assist in Innsbruck showed that he is already close to peak condition. His movement, finishing, and understanding with teammates will be key to Madrid’s ambitions this season, both domestically and in Europe.
Final Whistle and Takeaways
The 4-0 scoreline reflected Madrid’s dominance from start to finish. With goals from Militão, Mbappé (twice), and Rodrygo, as well as standout performances from Güler and the new signings, the night was full of positives for Alonso’s side. The challenge now will be to carry this form into competitive fixtures, starting with Osasuna in LaLiga.
For Madrid supporters, this friendly offered plenty of reasons for optimism — from Mbappé’s ruthless finishing to the creativity of Güler and the assured displays from fresh recruits. If this performance is any indication, Real Madrid look well-prepared to chase silverware on multiple fronts once again.
