Real Madrid beat WSG Tirol 4–0 in Innsbruck as Mbappé scored twice. Read the full recap, injury context, lineup analysis, and how to watch Real Madrid TV live.
Real Madrid vs WSG Tirol Quick Facts
- Score: Real Madrid 4, WSG Tirol 0 — friendly in Innsbruck (Tivoli Stadion).
- Scorers: Éder Militão opened the scoring; Kylian Mbappé netted a brace; Rodrygo added the fourth.
- Lineup note: Real Madrid started with a mix of first-team and rotated players — Courtois; Trent, Militão, Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras; Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Arda Güler; Vinícius Jr., Brahim, Mbappé (confirmed lineups).
- Where to watch: Real Madrid TV broadcast the game live (RM Play app / Real Madrid TV), and national broadcaster RTVE carried the match in Spain; US viewers could stream via platforms carrying Real Madrid TV (Fubo/Tubi info).
Why this match mattered: more than a friendly
At first glance a 4–0 preseason friendly sounds routine — but for Real Madrid this match carried outsized importance:
- Final dress rehearsal before LaLiga. The win was Madrid’s last warm-up ahead of the league opener vs Osasuna on August 19, so minutes mattered more than the scoreline.
- Fitness & selection under Xabi Alonso. Alonso is still shaping his preferred pressing shape and rotations; the match gave him live evidence about midfield options and attacking combinations given recent injuries.
- Injury context. Madrid arrived short of key names — Jude Bellingham remains out until later in the season, Eduardo Camavinga suffered a sprain in training, and other players (Valverde, Mendy, Endrick) were managed carefully. The friendly therefore functioned as a test of depth.
So this wasn’t merely a player exercise — it was a practical evaluation of readiness, depth and tactical clarity before a long campaign.
Match narrative — how the 4–0 unfolded (minute-by-minute highlights)
Real Madrid started aggressively in Innsbruck and turned early momentum into goals.
- 10′ — Éder Militão (1–0): Madrid’s first meaningful chance ended with a header from Militão, a product of good crossing and set-piece presence. The opener gave Madrid the platform to control the ball and tempo.
- 13′ — Kylian Mbappé (2–0): Just three minutes later Mbappé added a second, capitalising on a quick transition and clinical finishing to put Madrid in dominant territory.
- 82′ — Rodrygo (4–0) and Mbappé contributions: Mbappé’s second goal and his assist for Rodrygo (or Mbappé combination play, depending on the sequence) sealed a commanding scoreline and allowed Alonso to rotate with confidence late in the game.
Match stats showed Madrid controlled possession, created the better chances, and used the friendly to ramp up match sharpness for players returning from rest. Detailed minute-by-minute coverage and player ratings are available in the match reports.
Tactical analysis — what Xabi Alonso saw on the pitch
Alonso’s early tactical brief — a balanced build from the back with fluid front three — was in evidence:
- Defensive shape: With several midfielders unavailable, Madrid relied on a disciplined back four with Huijsen and Militão offering aerial dominance. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s presence (or a similar right-back option) helped supply wide outlet passes.
- Midfield balance: Tchouaméni operated as the anchor with more creative license allowed to Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos; this mix aimed to preserve defensive stability while enabling through-ball play to the wide attackers.
- Front-line dynamics: Mbappé’s finishing and linkage with Vinícius (and support from Brahim and Rodrygo) showcased a multi-gorilla attack — high pace, rotation and overloads in half-spaces. Alonso can deploy permutations of the front three based on opposition and fixture congestion.
The match suggested Alonso is leaning on structure but willing to tinker; in a long season, those tactical templates will matter far more than one friendly win.
Lineup & minutes — who took the stage
Real Madrid used a mixed XI to replicate game-intensity without overplaying key starters:
- Probable/confirmed starting XI (sources confirmed): Thibaut Courtois; Trent (or Alexander-Arnold if listed), Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras; Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler; Vinícius Jr., Brahim Díaz, Kylian Mbappé. (Club released lineup; media confirmed.)
- Substitutions: Alonso used bench minutes to evaluate Castilla prospects and rotation options — giving competitive minutes to those likely to fill in once the league begins.
From a roster-management view this balanced approach reduces risk for returning stars while creating opportunities to assess fringe options under match stress.
Injury watch: the cloud over Madrid’s preseason
Madrid’s injury list was the recurring story of the summer:
- Jude Bellingham: Long-term absence; not available for preseason and targeted for return later in the season.
- Eduardo Camavinga: Sprained his ankle in training, a fresh setback with an expected short-term absence reported by outlets.
- Federico Valverde & Ferland Mendy: Managed cautiously, with Valverde carrying a knock and Mendy’s fitness monitored closely.
- Endrick: Also managed for minutes as he nears full readiness.
Those absences explain match selection choices and increase the importance of minutes for players who will be asked to cover during the early run of LaLiga fixtures. If injuries persist, Alonso’s rotation and match plan may need to be adapted quickly.
What the win does — confidence vs. realism
A 4–0 scoreline is a confidence shot — Mbappé’s double and Rodrygo’s goal were encouraging — but several caveats matter:
- Quality of opponent: WSG Tirol is a solid Austrian side but not at LaLiga level; preseason scorelines should be weighed against the opponent’s level and the experimental nature of lineups.
- Strategic preparations: Alonso needed minutes more than a perfect tactical performance. The friendly provided that and confirmed several players’ match fitness and combinations under pressure.
- Injury monitors: The real test comes when Madrid face top domestic competition and must manage fatigue across competitions. The medical list will influence transfers, rotation and match-planning.
So the result is welcome — but it doesn’t remove the need for careful squad management.
T E A M! pic.twitter.com/ukTPPXdaoo
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 12, 2025
Fans, broadcast & where to watch Real Madrid vs WSG Tirol
If readers asked “where to watch Real Madrid vs WSG Tirol?” here’s how the game was distributed and how fans can catch similar preseason content going forward:
- Real Madrid TV / RM Play: The club broadcast the match live and free via Real Madrid TV and the RM Play app — a primary outlet for international fans to stream friendlies. (RM Play availability may vary by region.)
- RTVE (Spain): The national broadcaster carried the game live for Spanish viewers.
- US viewers: Real Madrid TV content is widely accessible on platforms that host the club channel (Fubo/Tubi in some regions), and services like Fubo often carry RM TV live streams. Always check local listings as rights can vary.
- Highlights: ESPN, SI and MLB-style sport pages posted highlights and player ratings shortly after full-time. Full match clips usually appear on Real Madrid’s official channels within hours.
Practical tip for readers: if you want to watch Real Madrid friendlies live, subscribe to RM Play / Real Madrid TV or check your regional sports aggregator for availability.
Player focus: Mbappé & Militão — why their displays matter
- Kylian Mbappé: Two early goals and consistent movement showed he’s sharp and ready to shoulder goal-scoring responsibility; his link play with wide attackers will be central to Madrid’s attack. Media player ratings applauded his finishing and overall threat.
- Éder Militão: A defender’s goal in a friendly is always a boost: Militão’s aerial threat on set pieces gives Madrid an additional attacking outlet and his defensive work is crucial with midfield absences.
Both performances are positive signs for fans and coaching staff alike: match fitness and confidence are as valuable as goals in August.
What to watch next — fixtures and storylines
- LaLiga opener (Aug 19) vs Osasuna: Madrid must convert preseason rhythm into competitive consistency. Alonso will finalise his preferred XI in the next week.
- Injury reports: Watch official club updates on Camavinga, Valverde and Mendy — their availability will shape Alonso’s midfield plan.
- Squad rotation & transfer window: If injuries persist, Madrid may accelerate internal promotions or consider late window adjustments. The friendly gave insight into Castilla options and fringe players who can step up.
Those threads will determine whether the 4–0 win was momentum-building or masking deeper issues.