Player Ratings: Espanyol 1 – 2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid emerged victorious in their Spanish league football match against RCD Espanyol with a scoreline of 2-1 on August 22, 2026, at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat. Arda Güler stood out as the standout creative performer for Real Madrid, completing seven key passes and providing an assist. Güler also contributed to two key set-pieces, which were instrumental in Real Madrid's attacking sequences. He was deemed the team's standout player for his exceptional performance.

Denzel Dumfries showcased an impressive defensive performance for Real Madrid, earning a rating of 7.5. The player's ball-winning ability and counter-pressing were noteworthy, resulting in four tackles for the team. Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's goalkeeper, had a mostly uneventful game, offering two straightforward saves. He did not face many challenges during the match.

Espanyol's Carlos Espí made an immediate impact coming off the bench, scoring the decisive goal and securing his team's victory. His performance earned him an 8.0 rating. The two center-backs, Álvaro Carreras and Bernardo Silva, complemented each other well, combining for 10 crucial clearances and providing a solid defensive foundation for Real Madrid. Bernardo Silva, while not as noticeable as expected, played an important role in ball distribution and midfield progression.

Despite Vinícius Jr's significant contributions in leading to Jude Bellingham's goal, his overall performance was difficult to rate highly, resulting in a 5.0 rating. Kylian Mbappé, although not at his best, contributed valuable moments with his dribbling and link-up play, although he lost possession 15 times and struggled with his shooting accuracy. His run played an important role in the sequence that resulted in Espí's winning goal.