Real Madrid begin the 2026/27 season with José Mourinho back in charge and another major chapter to write in the club’s history. Mourinho has returned to the Bernabéu 13 years after his first spell ended, with Madrid aiming to reclaim domestic and European supremacy. Follow the Real Madrid season tracker for the latest news, results, performances, transfers and key developments throughout the season.
10 October
A narrow win
Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid to secure a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, although Vinicius Junior’s dismissal threatened to derail a result that keeps Jose Mourinho’s side six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger was sent off in the 72nd minute after a VAR review showed him pulling the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba. Vinicius had seemingly doubled Madrid when he finished from Jude Bellingham’s cutback, but the goal was ruled out because of the offence in the build-up.
Madrid were left to protect their advantage with 10 men, surviving a tense closing spell to claim three points and move provisionally into third place. Vinicius could also face a suspension that makes him a doubt for the clásico against Barcelona on 25 October.
Diomande strikes down Villarreal as Real Madrid survive Vinicius red card
20 September
A derby defeat
Things could not be farther away from the plan for Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid moved above their rivals to second in La Liga after securing a 2-1 win at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David taking full advantage of Dean Huijsen’s second-half sending off.
Madrid were reduced to 10 men when Huijsen was shown a red card for bringing down Giuliano Simeone in the penalty area. Grimaldo converted from the spot before David doubled Atletico’s lead, leaving Mourinho with a second defeat in his first seven league matches.
Antonio Rudiger headed a late goal for Real but Atletico held on for the most satisfying of victories over their city rivals. Real Madrid are now a full six points behind Barcelona.
Atletico finish off rivals Real in Madrid derby after Huijsen red
15 September
Madrid refuse to let it slip
Real Madrid appeared to have thrown away a two-goal lead at Elche before Carlos Espi came to the rescue once again in stoppage time.
Madrid dominated the first half and went into the break 2-0 ahead, with an Arda Guler free-kick eventually credited as an own goal and Mbappe adding another. But the match changed completely after the interval as Elche scored twice to draw level.
Madrid could have left with only a point after surrendering their advantage, but Espi struck in the final moments to secure a 3-2 victory. It was a less convincing performance than the 4-1 victory over Rayo, but the result keeps Madrid within reach of Barcelona.
Espi Can Be Mourinho and Real Madrid’s Unexpected Difference Maker This Season
12 September
Madrid roll Rayo over in rampant first half
Rayo Vallecano were swept aside 4-1 as Mourinho’s side produced their fourth consecutive home victory. Mbappe scored twice and Alvaro Carreras and Jude Bellingham also found the net in a dominant first half.
Mbappe’s penalty opened the scoring before Carreras doubled the advantage and Bellingham added a third before the interval. Rayo briefly threatened a comeback after Sergio Camello pulled one back early in the second half, but Mbappe then settled the match in stoppage time.
Madrid have now followed the defeat at Betis with two wins, scoring six goals in the process.
8 September
A win in a tricky fixture
This could have been a very tough week for Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho but Inter Milan granted them some reprieve. Never do to yourself that which your enemy would celebrate, but the Italian champions did exactly that, with the result of a 2-1 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde gave Madrid a two-goal advantage inside the opening 23 minutes after Inter’s errors laid the ball up for them on a plate.
And despite The Italian champions controlling much of the match, eventually pulling one goal back through Carlos Augusto, they could not find an equaliser, with Thibaut Courtois producing a series of outstanding saves to preserve the hosts’ lead.
Mourinho has a winning start in Europe but Madrid’s performances need to improve.
Real Madrid Edge Past Inter Milan After Mbappe and Valverde Pounce on Errors
4 September
Parrott’s late goal sickens Mourinho and Madrid
Real Madrid have lost one of their opening four league games for the first time since 2014. Wonder Irishman Troy Parrott (never heard of him?) made his debut for Real Betis quite literally with a bang, scoring what was ultimately the winner with 10 minutes left in normal time. A lot happened in the final 10 minutes before Betis could seal the victory though, Carlos Espi’s goal getting ruled out and Kylian Mbappe missing a penalty, which Madrid then claimed should have been replayed.
Mbappe Penalty Miss Compounds Real Madrid Frustration as Parrott and Betis Deal Mourinho First Loss
Mourinho Struggling to Explain Real Madrid Loss
30 August
Mauling Malaga
Jude Bellingham was again at the centre of the action as Real Madrid made it three wins from three under Jose Mourinho, sweeping aside newly promoted Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bellingham Inspires Real Madrid to Four-Goal Rout of Malaga
26 August
First home game of the season
On Mourinho’s first game back at the Santiago Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappe shared the headlines with a hat-trick as Madrid swept aside Real Sociedad in a second-half blitz.
Mbappe Hat-Trick Secures Easy Real Madrid Win Over Sociedad in Mourinho’s Return to Bernabeu
23 August
On Mourinho’s first night out on the job…
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-1 at the RCDE Stadium. A faux-humble Mourinho tried to control the excitement and induce calm. Not easy to do when you’ve got 100 photographers surrounding you and trying to get a shot of that living, breathing myth and legend.
Mourinho did let some of his emotions show with a passionate fist-pump when Carlos Espi scored a late winner to ensure the season started with a victory.
Espi’s Late Goal Downs Espanyol to Give Mourinho Winning Real Madrid Return
Espi Can Be Mourinho and Real Madrid’s Unexpected Difference Maker This Season
23 August
The Special One is back at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid talk this season will largely be dominated by the return of Jose Mourinho. After 13 years, the Special One has been brought back to the club by an under-fire Florentino Perez to break Barcelona’s grip on La Liga.
Has he lost his touch, as some say, or does he still possess the personality and the will to end Real Madrid’s tactical and ego issues?
To equip him for the task the club have signed six players, a mix of youth and experience, but largely the latter, as one would expect.
How will this one turn out? You could flip a coin and find out.
Real Madrid season preview: No excuses for Mourinho as club seek route back to silverware
