Real Madrid Put on a Show in Austria — And Send a Warning to Europe
Innsbruck, Austria – August 13, 2025: If this was just a friendly, someone forgot to tell Real Madrid. On a warm summer evening in Innsbruck, Xabi Alonso’s men played with the sort of swagger and ruthlessness that made you wonder if they were already deep into a Champions League knockout run. WSG Tirol were the unlucky hosts, swept aside 4-0 in a display that mixed artistry, power, and a little bit of arrogance — the good kind.
Madrid didn’t just arrive in Austria; they took over. The travelling supporters turned the Tivoli Stadion Tirol into a mini Bernabéu, and it didn’t take long for them to start celebrating. Ten minutes in, Éder Militão climbed into the night sky and headed home like a man determined to make up for lost time. Three minutes later, Kylian Mbappé — a man who can turn a half-chance into a headline — burst through and finished with the kind of cool precision that makes defenders question their life choices.
When Mbappé grabbed his second just before the hour mark, you could almost feel the collective sigh from the Tirol backline: please, not again. But there was still time for Rodrygo to add the fourth, tapping in after a lightning-fast build-up that felt more like a counterattack training drill than a contested match.
Match Summary
| Team | Result |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 4 |
| WSG Tirol | 0 |
- Éder Militão (header)
- Kylian Mbappé (two goals)
- Rodrygo Goes (assist from Mbappé)
- Alonso’s Madrid: High Speed, High Stakes
This was our first proper look at Alonso’s tactical stamp on Madrid, and it’s… sharp. Courtois returned in goal, looking like he hadn’t missed a beat. Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his first appearance in white, looked as if he’d been delivering pinpoint passes in Madrid shirts for years. In midfield, Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz buzzed around with intent, feeding Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé like a pair of over-caffeinated waiters at a five-star restaurant.
Even when Alonso emptied the bench, Madrid’s energy didn’t drop. The match doubled as a stress test for the squad’s depth, with promising youngster Dean Huijsen among those given a run-out. If this was a rehearsal, everyone hit their cues.
More Than Just Pre-Season Warm-Up
Yes, it’s only August. Yes, WSG Tirol are not Barcelona, Bayern, or City. But there was something in Madrid’s body language — in the way they pressed, celebrated, and moved as a unit — that suggested this was about more than fitness. It was about setting the tone.
And for a fan base still smarting from last season’s empty trophy cabinet, it was a reminder: Madrid don’t stay down for long. The La Liga opener against Osasuna is less than a week away, and the Bernabéu will be expecting fireworks.
A Statement to the Rest of Europe
If anyone was wondering how quickly Alonso could mould this group into his team, here’s your answer: faster than expected. Discipline at the back, freedom up front, and just enough flair to remind you this is Real Madrid we’re talking about.
On a night when Austria’s mountains loomed in the distance, Madrid looked like the real peak — and for the rest of Europe, that’s a worrying sight.
