Real Madrid completed an unbeaten pre-season campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Schalke 04, as Kylian Mbappé marked his return with an early goal, Dean Huijsen scored while helping secure a clean sheet, and Carlos Espí continued his encouraging form.
The Spanish giants delivered another convincing performance in their final friendly before competitive action, with Mbappé opening the scoring after just six minutes before Huijsen doubled the advantage in the 20th minute. Espí completed the scoring in the second half with a 57th-minute strike.
There were also debuts for Diomande, Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté, while Arda Güler produced an eye-catching performance in midfield.
With a pre-season record of WWDWWW, Real Madrid finish their preparations without defeat and with plenty of positive signs for José Mourinho ahead of the new campaign.
Schalke 0-3 Real Madrid: Mbappé Scores After Six Minutes
Kylian Mbappé did not need long to remind everyone of his importance to Real Madrid.
Back in action, the French superstar required only six minutes to open the scoring against Schalke.
It was an ideal return for Mbappé and an equally encouraging development for Mourinho as Real Madrid prepare to transition from pre-season football into competitive action.
Having one of the world’s most dangerous forwards back among the goals gives Madrid an immediate attacking boost.
More importantly, Mbappé’s quick impact suggests he is ready to play a central role as Madrid turn their attention toward the matches that matter.
Dean Huijsen Scores as Real Madrid Double Their Lead
Real Madrid’s second goal arrived in the 20th minute through Dean Huijsen.
For a central defender, scoring is a welcome bonus. However, Huijsen’s contribution at the other end of the pitch was arguably even more important.
Real Madrid kept a clean sheet as Schalke failed to find a way through their defence, giving Huijsen the impressive combination of a goal and a shutout.
That will be particularly pleasing for Mourinho.
The Portuguese coach has traditionally placed considerable emphasis on defensive organisation, structure and game management. Ending pre-season with three goals scored and none conceded offers a strong foundation heading into competitive football.
Carlos Espí Scores Again for Real Madrid
Carlos Espí continued his promising pre-season by getting on the scoresheet once again.
His 57th-minute goal extended Real Madrid’s advantage to 3-0 and effectively ended any hopes of a Schalke comeback.
Pre-season provides young and developing players with an important opportunity to force themselves into the manager’s plans, and Espí has made the most of his chances.
Continuing to score makes his case increasingly difficult to ignore.
Whether that translates into significant first-team minutes remains to be seen, but his performances give Mourinho another attacking option to consider as the season develops.
Arda Güler Shines in Real Madrid Midfield
One of the biggest talking points from Real Madrid’s victory was the performance of Arda Güler.
The midfielder produced an impressive all-around display and continues to demonstrate why he could become increasingly influential for Madrid.
Güler’s technical quality and creativity offer Real Madrid something different between midfield and attack.
For Mourinho, having a player capable of finding space, progressing possession and creating opportunities around the penalty area could be particularly useful against opponents who defend deep.
The next challenge for Güler will be translating his impressive pre-season performances into consistent competitive displays.
Diomande, Cucurella and Konaté Make Real Madrid Debuts
The Schalke friendly also provided a first opportunity to see Diomande, Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté in Real Madrid colours.
Integrating several new players into an established squad can take time, making pre-season minutes particularly valuable.
Results are important for confidence, but Mourinho will also have used these fixtures to assess combinations, tactical roles and how quickly his new arrivals understand their responsibilities.
Getting the newcomers onto the pitch before the competitive season begins means Madrid can move forward with another important stage of their integration completed.
Schalke 0-3 Real Madrid: Key Match Highlights
- 6′ – Schalke 0-1 Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé marks his return with a goal after only six minutes.
- 20′ – Schalke 0-2 Real Madrid: Dean Huijsen doubles Madrid’s advantage.
- Halftime – Schalke 0-2 Real Madrid: Madrid head into the interval firmly in control.
- 57′ – Schalke 0-3 Real Madrid: Carlos Espí scores again to put the game beyond Schalke.
- Mbappé returns: The French forward makes an immediate impact in attack.
- Huijsen impresses: The defender contributes a goal while helping Madrid keep a clean sheet.
- New faces: Diomande, Cucurella and Konaté make their Real Madrid debuts.
- Güler shines: Arda Güler delivers one of the standout individual performances.
- Full-time – Schalke 0-3 Real Madrid: Madrid complete pre-season undefeated.
Real Madrid Finish Pre-Season Unbeaten: WWDWWW
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the consistency of Real Madrid’s results throughout pre-season.
Their WWDWWW record means Madrid finish their preparations with five victories and one draw from six matches.
Going undefeated in friendly matches guarantees nothing once the competitive season begins, but it can help establish confidence and reinforce a manager’s tactical ideas.
For a Real Madrid squad combining established stars, exciting youngsters and several new arrivals, that momentum could be particularly valuable.
What the Schalke Win Means for Real Madrid
There are several reasons for optimism heading into the new season.
First, Mbappé is back among the goals. His ability to change matches remains one of Madrid’s greatest weapons, and scoring six minutes into his return is an encouraging sign.
Second, Madrid demonstrated balance.
Scoring three goals will attract attention, but keeping a clean sheet in the final pre-season fixture is equally significant. Strong teams need to control matches at both ends of the pitch, and Madrid managed exactly that against Schalke.
Third, competition throughout the squad appears healthy.
Espí is scoring, Güler is impressing and new arrivals are beginning to accumulate minutes. That gives the coaching staff greater flexibility when selecting line-ups.
What This Means for José Mourinho
For José Mourinho, an undefeated pre-season represents an encouraging beginning, but the larger significance lies in the development of his squad.
A 3-0 victory provides several ingredients Mourinho will want to carry into competitive football: defensive solidity, clinical finishing and control of the game.
The clean sheet is particularly notable.
Mourinho’s most successful teams have typically been difficult to break down while remaining ruthless when opportunities arrive. Against Schalke, Madrid demonstrated both qualities.
He also appears to have considerable squad depth at his disposal.
Mbappé provides elite-level firepower. Güler offers creativity. Huijsen is capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch. Espí is pushing for further opportunities, while Diomande, Cucurella and Konaté give Mourinho additional options following their debuts.
The challenge now is turning those individual qualities into a cohesive team when the pressure increases.
Mourinho Faces Bigger Decisions After Impressive Pre-Season
An unbeaten pre-season can create selection dilemmas of the best kind.
Who partners Huijsen in defence? How will the new signings fit into Mourinho’s preferred system? Can Güler establish himself as a regular starter? How significant a role can Espí earn after his goalscoring performances?
And, crucially, how will Mourinho construct the attack around Mbappé?
Those questions will begin to be answered once competitive matches arrive.
Pre-season has nevertheless given the Real Madrid coach a strong platform.
Real Madrid Look Ready for Competitive Action
Real Madrid could hardly have asked for a more convincing conclusion to their preparations.
Mbappé returned and scored almost immediately. Huijsen contributed at both ends of the pitch. Espí found the net again. Güler impressed, three new players made their debuts and the defence finished with a clean sheet.
Most importantly, Real Madrid end pre-season unbeaten with a WWDWWW record.
Friendlies cannot replicate the pressure of competitive football, and tougher tests are ahead for Mourinho’s squad.
But after a 3-0 victory over Schalke, Real Madrid enter the new season with momentum, competition for places and their biggest attacking weapon back among the goals.
Final score: Schalke 04 0-3 Real Madrid.
