WSG Tirol 0-4 Real Madrid: Preseason Friendly Match Report.
Match Overview On August 12, 2025, Real Madrid concluded their preseason preparations with a commanding 4-0 victory over WSG Tirol at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol in Innsbruck, Austria.
The Merengues dominated from start to finish, with goals from Éder Militão, Kylian Mbappé (two), and Rodrygo sealing a convincing win in front of a near-capacity crowd of 15,200. This final tune-up before the LaLiga opener against Osasuna showcased Real Madrid’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, while WSG Tirol struggled to match the Spanish giants’ intensity despite their recent 3-1 Austrian Bundesliga win over LASK.
Pre-Match Build-Up The atmosphere at Tivoli Stadion Tirol, a 15,200-capacity venue inaugurated in 2000, was electric as fans poured in for this highly anticipated friendly. WSG Tirol, buoyed by their recent league form, aimed to test themselves against one of Europe’s elite clubs. Real Madrid, under manager Xabi Alonso, fielded a strong lineup to ensure peak readiness for the LaLiga season starting August 19, 2025. Both teams entered the match without injuries or suspensions, allowing full-strength squads to take the field. Lineups WSG Tirol: Adam Stejskal; Lukas Schweighofer, Jamie Lawrence, David Jaunegger, David Gugganig; Valentino Müller, Matthäus Taferner, Florian Buchacher; Mahamadou Diarra, Bror Blume, Quincy Butler.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Fran García; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modrić, Federico Valverde; Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé, Brahim Díaz. 
The players warmed up amidst a vibrant pre-match atmosphere, with Real Madrid expected to dominate possession and create early chances. WSG Tirol, leveraging home support, aimed to frustrate the visitors with disciplined defending and counterattacks.
First Half: Real Madrid’s Early Blitz
Kickoff and Early Dominance (0’-10’)
The match kicked off at 7:00 p.m. local time, with Real Madrid immediately asserting control. The Merengues dominated possession, moving the ball fluidly across the pitch to probe WSG Tirol’s defense. The home side, coached by Martin Scherb, set up with all eleven players behind the ball, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break. Despite their defensive solidity, Tirol struggled to escape Real Madrid’s high press, with Luka Modrić and Aurélien Tchouaméni dictating play in midfield.
Opening Goal (11’)
Real Madrid’s pressure paid off in the 11th minute. A well-worked move saw Brahim Díaz deliver a pinpoint cross from the right, which Éder Militão met with a towering header to beat goalkeeper Adam Stejskal. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the traveling Real Madrid fans, and the Merengues’ intensity showed no signs of relenting.
Mbappé Strikes (13’) Just two minutes later, Real Madrid doubled their lead. Arda Güler, showcasing his vision, threaded a precise through ball to Kylian Mbappé, who outpaced Jamie Lawrence and rifled a left-footed shot into the top left corner. The clinical finish highlighted Mbappé’s devastating pace and composure, leaving Tirol’s defense reeling.
Real Madrid’s Control (17’-29’)
By the 21st minute, Real Madrid held 81% possession, with WSG Tirol managing just 21%. The Merengues continued to press for a third goal, with Güler and Brahim Díaz creating chances through intricate passing. Tirol, unable to register a shot on target, committed multiple fouls in their attempts to regain possession, with Lukas Schweighofer booked in the 25th minute for a late challenge on Modrić. Despite their defensive efforts, Tirol couldn’t break free from their half, as Real Madrid’s backline, led by Militão and David Alaba, remained untroubled.
Closing the Half (33’-45’+2’) As the first half progressed, Real Madrid eased their intensity, focusing on ball retention to run down the clock. Tirol gained slight footholds in the game but lacked clarity in attack, with Mahamadou Diarra and Quincy Butler well-marshaled by Alaba and Fran García. The referee, Markus Hameter, added two minutes of stoppage time, but Real Madrid comfortably saw out the half, heading into the break with a 2-0 lead. Tirol’s failure to muster a shot on target underscored their struggles against a superior opponent. 
Halftime Score: WSG Tirol 0-2 Real Madrid Second Half: Merengues Seal the Victory Second Half Kickoff and Tirol’s Response (48’-52’) The second half began with WSG Tirol making a substitution, bringing on Thomas Geris for Valentino Müller to inject energy into their midfield. The home side started with more possession, aiming to push forward, but Real Madrid’s defense, anchored by Militão, thwarted their advances. Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde continued to dominate midfield, ensuring Tirol couldn’t reach Thibaut Courtois’s box.
Missed Opportunity (56’)
In the 56th minute, Arda Güler came close to extending Real Madrid’s lead, striking the post with a curling effort from 20 yards. The rebound fell to Mbappé, but his follow-up was blocked by David Jaunegger. Tirol’s defense, though under pressure, showed resilience, but their inability to clear the ball effectively invited further danger.
Third Goal (63’)
Real Madrid’s third goal arrived in the 63rd minute, effectively sealing the match. Tchouaméni’s lofted pass found Mbappé, who rounded Stejskal with ease and slotted into an empty net from a tight angle. The goal, Mbappé’s second, highlighted his ability to exploit defensive lapses, and the Merengues’ fans erupted as the scoreline reflected their dominance.
Substitutions and Slowing Pace (67’-79’) Real Madrid began rotating their squad, with Xabi Alonso introducing Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos among seven changes. The substitutions slowed the game’s tempo, with play bogged down in midfield. Tirol, desperate to create chances, saw Matthäus Taferner booked in the 75th minute for a frustrated foul on Camavinga. Despite the home side’s efforts, Real Madrid’s control remained unshaken, with Courtois enjoying a quiet evening.
Final Goal (81’)
The Merengues capped their performance in the 81st minute. Mbappé turned provider, slipping a pass to Rodrygo, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner past Stejskal. The goal, a testament to Real Madrid’s attacking depth, put the result beyond doubt, delighting the near-capacity crowd.
Closing Minutes (83’-90’)
In the final stages, Real Madrid managed the game expertly, with a corner kick in the 83rd minute nearly yielding a fifth goal. Tirol, visibly deflated, continued to commit fouls, but their efforts were in vain against a well-drilled Real Madrid side. The referee added minimal stoppage time, and the match concluded with a 4-0 scoreline, met with enthusiastic cheers from the fans.
Final Score: WSG Tirol 0-4 Real Madrid
Key Performances
· Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Scored twice (13’, 63’) and assisted Rodrygo’s goal, contributing to 2.0 expected goals (xG). His pace and clinical finishing overwhelmed Tirol’s defense.
· Éder Militão (Real Madrid): Opened the scoring with a header and anchored a defense that kept a clean sheet, with Tirol failing to register a shot on target.
· Arda Güler (Real Madrid): Hit the post and provided an assist for Mbappé’s first goal, creating four chances in a lively display.
· Matthäus Taferner (WSG Tirol): Showed effort in midfield but was booked for a foul, reflecting Tirol’s frustration against a superior opponent.
· Adam Stejskal (WSG Tirol): Made several saves but was powerless against Real Madrid’s relentless attack.
Statistical Highlights
· Possession: Real Madrid dominated with 78% possession overall, peaking at 81% in the first half.
· Shots: Real Madrid recorded 16 shots (3.8 xG), with 7 on target, while Tirol managed just one shot (0.41 xG), none on target.
· Passing Accuracy: Real Madrid completed 92% of their passes, with Modrić and Tchouaméni leading with 95% and 93% accuracy, respectively.
· Discipline: Tirol received two yellow cards (Schweighofer 25’, Taferner 75’), while Real Madrid had none.
· Expected Goals (xG): Real Madrid’s 3.8 xG underscored their attacking dominance, while Tirol’s 0.41 xG highlighted their lack of threat.
Tactical Analysis Real Madrid’s high-pressing, possession-based approach overwhelmed WSG Tirol from the outset. Xabi Alonso’s side exploited the flanks, with Lucas Vázquez and Fran García providing width, while Güler and Brahim Díaz drifted centrally to create overloads. Mbappé’s pace stretched Tirol’s defense, and Militão’s aerial presence proved decisive from set pieces. The Merengues’ ability to maintain intensity while rotating players showcased their squad depth and readiness for LaLiga. WSG Tirol, set up in a 5-4-1 formation, aimed to frustrate Real Madrid with a deep defensive block. However, their inability to retain possession (22% overall) and create chances exposed the gulf in quality. Martin Scherb’s side showed resilience early but lacked the attacking impetus to trouble Courtois, with Diarra and Butler isolated up top.
Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid Manager) “We’re pleased with the performance today. The team showed great intensity and clinical finishing, which is exactly what we need heading into LaLiga. Kylian [Mbappé] was outstanding, and it was good to see all the players get minutes. We’re ready for Osasuna.”
Martin Scherb (WSG Tirol Manager)
“Facing a team like Real Madrid is a huge challenge, but it’s a great learning experience for us. We defended well early, but their quality was too much. We’ll take the positives and focus on our next Bundesliga match.”
Kylian Mbappé (Player of the Match)
“It’s great to finish the preseason with a strong win. The team played well, and I’m happy to contribute with goals and an assist. We’re in good shape for the season, and I can’t wait to get started in LaLiga.”
Key Moments
· 11’: Éder Militão’s header from Brahim Díaz’s cross opened the scoring, setting the tone for Real Madrid’s dominance.
· 13’: Kylian Mbappé’s clinical strike doubled the lead, showcasing his lethal finishing.
· 56’: Arda Güler’s shot hit the post, denying Real Madrid a third goal in a moment of Tirol resilience.
· 63’: Mbappé’s second goal, a composed finish after rounding the goalkeeper, effectively sealed the match.
· 81’: Rodrygo’s goal, assisted by Mbappé, capped a comprehensive performance.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid head into their LaLiga opener against Osasuna on August 19, 2025, with confidence, having fine-tuned their squad in this dominant display. WSG Tirol return to Austrian Bundesliga action, aiming to build on their recent 3-1 victory over LASK. The friendly, though one-sided, provided valuable experience for Tirol and a final test for Real Madrid’s star-studded lineup.
Broader Context This match marked the first-ever meeting between WSG Tirol and Real Madrid, highlighting the disparity between a mid-tier Austrian Bundesliga side and a European powerhouse. Real Madrid’s performance sent a strong message to LaLiga rivals, with Mbappé’s form and the team’s depth signaling their intent to defend their title. For Tirol, the game was a chance to measure themselves against elite opposition, offering lessons for their domestic campaign. 
Real Madrid’s 4-0 rout of WSG Tirol was a statement of intent ahead of the 2025/26 LaLiga season. Mbappé’s brace, Militão’s defensive solidity, and Güler’s creativity underscored the Merengues’ quality, while Tirol’s spirited but toothless display reflected the challenge of facing a global giant. As both teams move forward, this friendly served as a fitting prelude to their respective league campaigns, with Real Madrid looking primed for success. Venue: Tivoli Stadion Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria Date: August 12, 2025 Referee: Markus Hameter
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