Real Madrid beats Schalke 3-0 in final preseason match

Real Madrid closed its preseason with a convincing 3-0 win over Schalke 04 at the Veltins Arena, with Kylian Mbappé scoring in his first start under coach José Mourinho. Mbappé opened the scoring in the sixth minute after intercepting a poor back pass, and Dean Huijsen added a header from an Arda Güler corner in the 20th minute. Carlos Espí, a summer signing from Levante, sealed the win with a header in the 57th minute after coming on at halftime Source: ABC, El Confidencial.

New signings debut

The match marked the debuts of several new signings. Ibrahima Konaté started in central defense, while Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomandé came on as substitutes in the second half Source: El Mundo. Diomandé, who joined from Leipzig for a reported €162 million, played his first minutes for the club Source: El Nacional.

Espí's case for minutes

Carlos Espí finished the preseason as the team's top scorer with two goals in 150 minutes, both as a substitute. The 21-year-old has been touted as a potential starter for the league opener against Espanyol, though he is expected to begin on the bench behind Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, and Diomandé Source: Infobae.

What's next

Real Madrid will begin their La Liga campaign on August 22 away to Espanyol, with Mourinho returning to the club after 13 years Source: El Colombiano. The team finished preseason unbeaten in official friendlies, with three wins and one draw Source: El Español.