Real Madrid beat Schalke as Mbappe scores on return

Real Madrid’s pre-season momentum continued with a 3-0 victory over Schalke 04, as Jose Mourinho’s side again showed encouraging signs ahead of the new campaign. Kylian Mbappe marked his return to the line-up with an early goal, while Madrid also handed Ibrahima Konate his first outing in central defence.

Mbappe makes an immediate impact

Mourinho selected a strong side for the meeting with the German club, and several notable names were back involved after a break linked in part to the World Cup. Thibaut Courtois returned in goal, Mbappe was restored to the attack, and Konate was introduced in the middle of the back line.

Mbappe needed only six minutes to make his presence felt. The France forward reacted sharply to a misplaced pass from Schalke, raced through on goal against Lloris Karius and finished low to open the scoring.

That early strike set the tone for a controlled Madrid display. The Spanish side looked comfortable in possession and carried a threat whenever they moved forward, with Schalke struggling to disrupt their rhythm.

Huijsen adds the second

Madrid doubled their lead in the 20th minute through Huijsen. The defender rose highest from Arda Guler’s corner and powered a header home, rewarding another purposeful attacking phase from Mourinho’s team.

The goal also underlined one of the more interesting features of Madrid’s performance: contributions from across the pitch. With Mbappe back among the goals and Huijsen dangerous from a set piece, the team showed both variety and authority.

Changes at the break, same outcome

At half-time, Mourinho rotated several of the players who had just returned to action. Courtois, Konate, Guler and Mbappe were among those taken off, with Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga and Espi introduced.

The changes did little to alter the pattern of the game. Espi added the third goal 11 minutes after coming on, heading in from a cross delivered by Carreras after the left-sided player found space out wide.

Mourinho continued to make further substitutions soon after, but Schalke were unable to mount a response and did not find a way back into the contest.

Another positive step for Mourinho’s Madrid

The result means Real have now won four of their five matches in this run, with only a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina interrupting an otherwise perfect sequence. For Mourinho, that record offers another indication that his side are progressing well in their preparations.

There will be tougher tests to come, and any wider conclusions should be kept in proportion during pre-season. Even so, Madrid’s latest outing brought several clear positives: Mbappe’s sharp return, defensive experimentation with Konate, and another convincing result as the new season moves closer.

• Real Madrid beat Schalke 04 3-0.
• Kylian Mbappe scored on his return to the side.
• Huijsen and Espi also found the net.
• Ibrahima Konate made his first appearance in central defence.
• It was Real’s fourth win in five matches.