Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-1 in La Liga, with their 4-2-3-1 providing the platform for sustained attacking pressure against the hosts’ compact 4-4-2. Jude Bellingham and Carlos Espí scored for Madrid, while Álex Calatrava supplied Espanyol’s goal. The visitors controlled 63% of possession and generated 2.71 expected goals from 21 shots, reflecting their ability to circulate the ball patiently before increasing the tempo in advanced areas. Espanyol, operating with 37% possession, recorded eight attempts and produced 1.05 xG, posing enough threat to keep the contest competitive. Madrid also placed eight shots on target, compared with Espanyol’s three, although the home goalkeeper’s 75% save rate helped limit the margin. At the other end, Madrid’s goalkeeper saved 66.67% of the shots he faced, with the hosts finding a route through once. The contrast between Madrid’s territorial control and Espanyol’s more restrained two-bank structure shaped the match, but Calatrava’s contribution ensured the visitors could never treat their advantage as secure. Madrid’s early league form gains another valuable result.