On a sun-drenched September afternoon at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid delivered a performance that was at once clinical, commanding, and—one suspects—ominous for the rest of La Liga. With a 2-0 victory over a previously unbeaten Espanyol, Los Blancos extended their perfect start to five wins from five, a run fueled by star power and tactical clarity that now feels almost unassailable.

Key Moments: The Champions’ Ruthless Precision

The match’s decisive moments came from two men whose names have become synonymous with Madrid’s new era. Éder Militão, ever the reliable sentinel in defense, broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, rising above the Espanyol backline to power home a header from a well-worked corner. The goal exemplified Madrid’s ability to punish even the smallest lapse in opposition concentration, and from that point forward, the hosts rarely ceded control.

Shortly after halftime, the Bernabéu’s collective anticipation was rewarded by Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar, whose arrival this summer already looks like a league-altering event, doubled Madrid’s lead in the 47th minute. Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, Mbappé jinked past two defenders before firing a low shot into the far corner—a finish of such effortless precision that it drew a standing ovation.

Mbappé’s Impact: More Than Just Goals

Mbappé’s integration into Xabi Alonso’s lineup has been seamless, his movement and technical brilliance unlocking spaces and opportunities for a team already brimming with quality. His fifth league goal in as many matches has not only invigorated Madrid’s attack but seems to have galvanized the entire squad: Vinícius Júnior was a constant menace on the left, while the midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Bellingham controlled the tempo with authority.

Espanyol, who arrived in Madrid with three wins from four, were stifled for long stretches. Their best chance came in stoppage time, when Leandro Cabrera headed narrowly wide from a corner—a fleeting moment that only underscored how rarely they troubled Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal.

A Statement of Intent—and a Warning

With this win, Real Madrid sit alone atop La Liga: five matches, five victories, fifteen points, and just two goals conceded. Barcelona trail by five points with a game in hand, but the gulf in consistency is already yawning. For all the talk of a competitive title race, Madrid’s blend of youth, experience, and Mbappé’s game-breaking talent sends a clear message: this is a team operating on a different level.

Manager Xabi Alonso’s tactical evolution deserves special mention. His side’s pressing was disciplined, the transitions swift, and the positional rotations seamless. Alonso has built a side that is not merely reliant on individual brilliance, but one in which the collective enhances the singular talents at his disposal. It is a formula that has made Madrid not just favorites, but, on this evidence, prohibitive ones.

Espanyol’s Reality Check

For Espanyol, the afternoon was a sobering reminder of the standards required to challenge for the top four. Their early-season optimism remains justified—ten points from five matches is no small feat—but the step up in class was evident. In moments, Carlos Romero and Javi Puado showed flashes of invention, but too often they were isolated, forced to chase the game as Madrid’s midfield suffocated any hint of rhythm.

Manager Luis García can take solace in the resilience his team showed after falling two behind; there was no collapse, only a grim determination to avoid a rout that has befallen so many at the Bernabéu. Yet, the gap to the summit is clear, and Espanyol must regroup quickly ahead of fixtures that will define their campaign more acutely than this daunting trip.

Broader Implications: A Title Race in Name Only?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth for neutrals and rivals alike: with Mbappé in this form, La Liga’s competitive balance is threatened. Madrid’s bench, featuring the likes of Endrick and Dani Ceballos, is deep. Their tactical system is flexible. Their defense, anchored by Militão and Courtois, is stingy. If the early weeks are any indication, the question may not be whether Madrid will win the title, but how soon they will make it mathematically inevitable.

It is a testament to the club’s recent recruitment and managerial acumen that, less than two months into the season, they project an aura of inevitability reminiscent of their most dominant eras. For Xabi Alonso, the challenge now is to maintain intensity and focus—complacency is the only true enemy.

Looking Ahead

Madrid’s next assignment is away at Levante. For now, though, they will savor another afternoon of authority at the Bernabéu. For Espanyol and the rest of La Liga, the task is clear but daunting: find a way to stop a team that, on current evidence, does not look as though it can be stopped at all.