Real Madrid’s Win Masks Deeper Issues | MLS News

MLS News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 22, 2026 · 1m

Real Madrid clawed their way to a dramatic 2-1 win over Espanyol, with Carlos Espí scoring the winner in stoppage time off Mbappé’s assist — but the victory masked deeper issues. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring early, only for Espanyol to equalize before halftime. The team’s attacking woes persisted, relying on individual brilliance rather than fluid teamwork. Vinícius Jr. was quiet, midfielders struggled to control the game, and crosses failed to yield results despite dominating possession. Espanyol’s stubborn defense forced fouls and disrupted rhythm, exposing Real’s lack of creativity…