Real Madrid extended their winning run to six matches in all competitions with a controlled 3–0 victory over Racing Santander at El Sardinero on Sunday.
Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande all scored during a decisive first-half display. The result kept Madrid third in La Liga, one point behind Atlético Madrid and three behind leaders Barcelona.
The visitors took command early and never allowed the match to become a prolonged contest. Mbappé converted an 11th-minute penalty after being brought down inside the area. Bellingham added the second ten minutes later before Diomande completed the scoring with a powerful strike in the 36th minute.
Confirmed: Madrid settle the match before halftime
The final score was Racing Santander 0–3 Real Madrid. All three goals arrived before the interval, giving José Mourinho’s team complete control of the second half.
Madrid had already threatened through Arda Güler and Bellingham before Mbappé won and converted the opening penalty. The French forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 12th league goal of the season.
The second goal followed another sharp move. Mbappé and Güler combined before the Turkish midfielder released Bellingham behind the defence. The England international rounded goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and finished into the empty net.
Diomande then produced the most spectacular moment of the match. After Racing failed to clear a corner properly, the ball reached him near the edge of the penalty area. His powerful right-footed volley flew into the top corner and gave Madrid a three-goal advantage nine minutes before halftime.
Racing showed more attacking intent after the restart but did not create enough clear danger to threaten a comeback. Madrid remained composed, managed possession and continued to produce the better chances. Mbappé struck the post around the hour mark, while Bellingham had a stoppage-time goal ruled out for offside.
Racing finished with only one shot on target. Madrid protected the clean sheet and completed another efficient performance following their Clásico victory.
FootyTactix analysis: Madrid’s balance is driving the streak
The headline numbers belong to Madrid’s attackers, but the performance also showed why the team’s current run is becoming more convincing.
Mourinho’s side pressed with purpose, moved the ball quickly after regaining possession and received defensive work from its attacking players. That collective effort prevented Racing from building sustained pressure and allowed Madrid’s midfield to control the centre of the pitch.
The opening goal rewarded Madrid’s fast start. Racing were forced to defend close to their own penalty area, and Mbappé’s direct movement created the contact that led to the penalty. Once he converted, the home side had to take more risks.
Madrid exploited the resulting space with the second goal. Bellingham’s run from midfield gave Güler a clear forward option, while the finish showed the composure that makes the midfielder dangerous beyond his passing and defensive work.
Diomande’s contribution adds another important dimension. The summer signing now has four goals and three assists across his last six appearances. His ability to attack loose balls and shoot from distance gives Madrid a threat opponents cannot control by concentrating only on Mbappé.
Key factors
Madrid started with intensity. The visitors created chances before scoring and established the rhythm during the opening minutes.
Their major attackers were decisive. Mbappé won and converted the penalty, Bellingham finished the second, and Diomande turned a partial clearance into an unstoppable third.
The defensive structure stayed intact. Racing had more possession in advanced areas after halftime, but Madrid limited the hosts to one shot on target and avoided giving them a path back into the match.
The three-goal lead was managed intelligently. Madrid did not chase the score recklessly in the second half, which reduced physical strain ahead of another European fixture.
What the result means
Madrid remain behind Barcelona and Atlético, but six consecutive victories have restored strong momentum. The title race is still tight enough that every point matters, and this result ensured the leaders could not create more distance.
The performance also demonstrated that Madrid are no longer depending on one route to goal. Mbappé supplied his expected contribution, but Bellingham’s timing, Güler’s creativity and Diomande’s powerful finishing spread the attacking responsibility.
Their next test arrives in the Champions League away to AEK Athens on Wednesday. That match will demand a quick recovery, but Madrid travel with confidence, a clean sheet and a winning sequence that now stretches across six games.
For Racing, the defeat leaves them close to the relegation places and underlines the gap between competing bravely and containing elite attacking quality. Madrid needed only one half to establish that difference.
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