Real Madrid ended their preseason exactly the way Jose Mourinho would have wanted, hammering Schalke 04 3-0 at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen to wrap up their final tune-up before La Liga kicks off. Kylian Mbappe, Dean Huijsen, and debut hero Carlos Espi all found the net in a performance that left Los Blancos unbeaten across four preseason matches heading into the new season.
How Real Madrid Beat Schalke 04
Madrid needed just six minutes to open the scoring. Mbappe pounced on a loose backpass from Schalke’s Ron Schallenberg, took a touch, and slotted calmly past goalkeeper Loris Karius. It was the perfect start on a special occasion, with the match marking the 25th anniversary of the VELTINS-Arena, the very stadium where Mourinho lifted the Champions League with Porto back in 2004.
The lead doubled just before the 20-minute mark. Dean Huijsen rose highest to power home a header from an Arda Guler corner, showcasing the aerial threat that has quickly become a hallmark of Madrid’s new-look backline. Mbappe was booked before halftime for a scuffle with a Schalke defender, but otherwise Madrid controlled every phase of the opening 45 minutes.
Mourinho made wholesale changes at the break, bringing on Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga, and new signing Carlos Espi. The substitutions barely disrupted the rhythm. In the 57th minute, Espi headed home Alvaro Carreras’ cross to make it 3-0, capping an impressive full debut for the forward and giving Mourinho another selection headache heading into the new campaign.
The Numbers Behind the Win
Advanced stats backed up what fans saw on the pitch. Madrid posted a dominant Sofascore team rating of 8.23 compared to Schalke’s 6.52, while the visitors completed 73 percent of aerial duels and 70 percent of long balls, numbers that explain why both opening goals came from set-piece and aerial situations. Schalke actually produced more total shots across the ninety minutes, but Madrid controlled the moments that mattered most.
Notable Debuts and Returns
Sunday’s friendly doubled as a coming-out party for several new faces. Espi’s goal instantly made a case for his inclusion in Mourinho’s attacking plans,
while Yan Diomande also made his first appearance in Madrid colors off the bench. Marc Cucurella featured fresh off becoming a World Cup winner with Spain, and summer arrivals Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva both started the match, continuing their integration into the squad.
What This Means Going Into La Liga
Mourinho was measured but satisfied afterward, noting that his squad is still building chemistry given the staggered return dates of players who were away at the World Cup. “It was positive as a team, and positive individually,” the manager said, adding that some of the later arrivals are still catching up on match sharpness compared to players who reported for preseason from day one.
With the preseason now complete and a record of three wins and a draw, Real Madrid head into the 2026-27 campaign with real momentum. Their competitive opener arrives next Saturday away at Espanyol, and on this evidence, Mourinho’s rebuilt side looks more than ready for the challenge ahead.
