Brahim Diaz scored the only goal as Real Madrid overcame a tough test against newly-promoted LaLiga rivals Deportivo de A Coruna to win 1-0 at Estadio Abanca-Riazor. 

2026 Club Friendlies

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Match Report 

After claiming his first victory since returning to Madrid against Ferencvaros last time out, Jose Mourinho added another to his tally in Los Blancos' penultimate pre-season outing. 

Vinicius Junior made his first start since signing a new six-year contract and also captained his side, but Madrid struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities early on. 

Endrick's neat flick from Arda Guler's wicked free-kick was palmed to safety by Leo Roman, before Dean Huijsen and Denzel Dumfries both spooned efforts over the crossbar. 

However, Madrid got themselves ahead in first-half stoppage time through Brahim, who brilliantly chested down Andrii Lunin's long throw before slotting in at Roman's near post. 

Federico Valverde, Trent Alexander-Arnold and summer signing Carlos Espi were all substituted on at the break, but their introductions failed to spark Madrid to further goals. 

Lunin was called into action in the 72nd minute by Zakaria Eddahchouri's shot from just outside the box, with the Madrid goalkeeper then saving with his feet to deny a volley from Miguel Loureiro as Mourinho's men held on for the win. 

¡Segunda victoria de la pretemporada! @Emirates pic.twitter.com/hrqU3jwQQl

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 12, 2026

Mourinho lands silverware but Mbappe's absence felt

Mourinho's return to the Spanish capital was fuelled by trying to restore Madrid to their former glory, having endured two trophyless seasons as Clasico rivals Barcelona's domination of LaLiga continued, but the 'Special One' did land some silverware here. 

The Teresa Herrera Trophy, a pre-season game hosted by Deportivo every year, was won by Madrid for the 10th time and the first since 2013, with only their opponents on Wednesday lifting the trophy more often (26). 

But Mourinho will know improvements are needed, particularly in the final third. Madrid were only able to muster an expected goals (xG) total of 1.09 from their 13 shots, though they were able to restrict Deportivo to an xG figure of 0.34 from their 10 attempts. 

Madrid's lack of spark in the final third in the absence of Kylian Mbappe was evident. It was Los Blancos' full-backs that provided most of the threat in attack, with Dumfries finishing with team-high totals for shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (six). 

In addition, only Guler (three) created more chances than Alvaro Carreras and Alexander-Arnold (both two), with Mourinho having just one pre-season game left, against Schalke this Sunday, to figure out a plan ahead of their LaLiga opener against Espanyol on August 22.

Match Events

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21' Match Event for Deportivo vs Real Madrid


26' Highlight from Deportivo vs Real Madrid


30' Highlight from Deportivo vs Real Madrid


33' Match Event for Deportivo vs Real Madrid


36' Match Event for Deportivo vs Real Madrid


41' Match Event for Deportivo vs Real Madrid


46' GOAL! Deportivo 0-1 Real Madrid (Brahim Díaz)



58' Highlight from Deportivo vs Real Madrid


73' Highlight from Deportivo vs Real Madrid


82' Highlight from Deportivo vs Real Madrid


86' Match Event for Deportivo vs Real Madrid


Line-ups

Deportivo XI: Aubameyang, Ximo Navarro, Angelino, Leo Román, Luismi Cruz, Mario Soriano, Lorenzo Amatucci, Lucas Noubi, Bright Ede, Bil Nsongo, Noé Carrillo

Subs: Germán Parreño, Miguel Loureiro, Álvaro Ferllo, Giacomo Quagliata, Riki Rodríguez, Diego Villares, Arnau Comas, Zakaria Eddahchouri, Dani Barcia, David Mella, Kevin Sánchez, Teun Gijselhart

Real Madrid XI: Rudiger, Bernardo Silva, Dumfries, Brahim, Lunin, Vinicius, Camavinga, Güler, Álvaro Carreras, Endrick, Dean Huijsen

Subs: Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Sergio Mestre, Daniel Yáñez, Mario Rivas, Joan Martínez, Jorge Cestero, Carlos Espí, Alexis Ciria, Diego Lacosta, Lamini Fati