Real Madrid defeated Schalke 04 3-0 in Germany in their final pre-season match on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé's return following the 2026 World Cup and the debut of Ivorian centre-back Yan Diomandé. The Portuguese manager José Mourinho's side opened the scoring when Mbappé intercepted a pass in the opposition's build-up and shot on goal in the 6th minute.
Dean Huijsen scored the second goal heading in from a corner kick (20'), whilst Carlos Espí, who came on at half-time, completed the scoring with the third goal (56'). Diomandé, signed for 162 million dollars from Leipzig, made his first minutes as a Real Madrid player when he came on in the 61st minute.
FC Barcelona, La Liga's defending champions, won 5-2 against Basel in Switzerland with the debut of Englishman Anthony Gordon, signed from Newcastle. German Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring in the 34th minute, although Jean Doucouré equalised before half-time with a goal for the home side (43').
Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim restored the Blaugrana's advantage (49') ahead of an exciting finish with four goals. Lamine Yamal scored from a penalty (81'), Kazeem Olaigbe equalised for Basel also from the penalty spot (84'), and Jesse Bisiwu sealed victory with a brace (89', 90+1') under Hansi Flick's direction.
Barcelona will play an additional friendly on Wednesday at home against Al Ahly, before starting La Liga on 23 August away to Elche. Real Madrid will begin the Spanish league a day earlier, on 22 August, at Espanyol's stadium, according to AFP.
