Militão’s stunning header paves the way for Real Madrid to beat WSG Tirol in a friendly

In an electrifying friendly at Tivoli Stadion in Innsbruck, Austria, Real Madrid faces WSG Tirol on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM (local time), as part of their preparation for the 2025/26 La Liga season. With just 13 minutes played, the Spanish side leads 2-0, thanks to a stunning header golazo by Eder Militão at the 10th minute and a goal by Kylian Mbappé at the 13th minute. The match, marking Real Madrid’s final test before their opener against Osasuna, showcases the offensive prowess of Xabi Alonso’s team, while WSG Tirol struggles to hold their ground at home. The game, still in the first half, promises more excitement with the visitors’ dominance.

Real Madrid arrived in Innsbruck with a star-studded squad, featuring names like Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Tchouameni, determined to fine-tune their performance before the Spanish season begins. Meanwhile, WSG Tirol, buoyed by a recent 3-1 win over LASK in the Austrian Bundesliga, relies on their home crowd and defensive solidity to challenge the European giant.

• Early match highlights:
  • Eder Militão opened the scoring with a header at the 10th minute.
  • Kylian Mbappé extended the lead with a precise shot at the 13th minute.
  • Real Madrid dominates possession and pressures WSG Tirol.

Madrid’s dominance in the opening minutes

Real Madrid started the game with intensity, controlling possession and creating chances from the outset. At the 10th minute, Eder Militão rose above the Austrian defense on a corner kick delivered by Arda Guler and scored a stunning header, leaving goalkeeper Stejskal with no chance. The play highlighted the Spanish side’s efficiency in set pieces, a weapon Xabi Alonso has been refining in pre-season.

Shortly after the first goal, Real Madrid kept up the pressure. Kylian Mbappé, in top form, received a precise pass from Dani Ceballos and finished with precision at the 13th minute, cementing the lead. The attacking movement, with Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz wide on the flanks, has troubled WSG Tirol’s defense, which tries to respond with counterattacks led by Lukas Hinterseer.

WSG Tirol, however, struggles to break out of their defensive third. Despite an attempted long ball at the 5th minute, the Austrian side has yet to threaten Thibaut Courtois’ goal, with the Belgian goalkeeper remaining solid. The home crowd, filling the Tivoli Stadion, urges the team to seek an equalizer, but the challenge against such a formidable opponent is clear.

Key moments timeline

The match, still ongoing, has already seen decisive moments that reflect its intense pace. Below are the main events recorded up to the 13th minute of the first half:

• 1’: Real Madrid earns two consecutive free kicks, pressing from the start.
• 7’: Mbappé shoots after a corner, but Stejskal makes a solid save.
• 8’: Arda Guler shoots from outside the box, but the ball goes wide.
• 10’: Eder Militão’s golazo, heading in a corner from Guler.
• 13’: Mbappé scores the second goal after a pass from Ceballos.

Real Madrid’s pre-season strength

Real Madrid comes into this friendly with strong performances in recent competitions, such as the Club World Cup, where they defeated teams like Juventus (1-0) and Borussia Dortmund (3-2), despite a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Under Xabi Alonso’s management, the team aims to solidify their style, blending possession, quick transitions, and efficiency in set pieces.

Eder Militão, who scored the opener, has emerged as a key figure in defense and attack during aerial plays. His performance underscores the importance of the Brazilian defender, who has overcome serious injuries to become a regular starter. Mbappé, with his speed and precision, remains the main attacking threat, drawing attention from fans and opponents alike.

On the other hand, WSG Tirol is riding a wave of confidence after recent Austrian Bundesliga wins, including a 4-2 victory over Hartberg and a 3-1 triumph against LASK. Led by captain Valentino Muller, the team aims to use their home advantage to challenge Real Madrid, though the technical gap is evident in the early minutes.

Tactical challenges for WSG Tirol

WSG Tirol, lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, relies on defensive compactness to contain Real Madrid’s attack. Goalkeeper Adam Stejskal, despite conceding twice, has made key saves, such as stopping Mbappé’s shot at the 7th minute. However, the Austrian side needs to improve their ball distribution to counter Real Madrid’s high press, which has forced defensive errors.

Real Madrid’s 4-3-3 formation highlights the versatility of players like Arda Guler, who has created two goal-scoring chances, and Aurélien Tchouameni, who anchors the midfield with precise passing. The presence of Alexander-Arnold, a recent signing, adds quality to plays down the right flank, complementing the team’s attacking style.

• WSG Tirol’s tactical points:
  • Defensive compactness with three center-backs.
  • Counterattack attempts led by Hinterseer and Huetz.
  • Struggles to retain possession against high pressing.

Expectations for the rest of the match

With a 2-0 lead at the 13th minute, Real Madrid appears comfortable, but WSG Tirol still has a chance to react, especially with the home crowd’s support. The Austrian side needs to capitalize on long balls and exploit potential gaps in Real Madrid’s defense, which showed vulnerabilities in prior games, such as the loss to PSG.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, is likely to maintain their intensity to extend the lead and test new tactical variations. Xabi Alonso may use the friendly to give minutes to players like Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Junior, who are seeking match fitness before the La Liga opener. The game also offers a chance to assess the physical condition of players returning from injury, such as David Alaba, who has resumed training.

Importance of the friendly for both teams

For WSG Tirol, facing a club of Real Madrid’s caliber is a unique opportunity to gain visibility and test their squad against one of the world’s best teams. The match, though a friendly, could boost morale for the Austrian Bundesliga campaign, where the team aims to climb the standings.

For Real Madrid, the game serves as the final tune-up before the season begins. Their La Liga opener against Osasuna, scheduled for August 19, demands peak performance. The friendly against WSG Tirol allows Xabi Alonso to evaluate starters and substitutes while building team confidence after a mixed pre-season.

• Team objectives:
  • WSG Tirol: Gain experience and visibility.
  • Real Madrid: Refine tactics and match rhythm.
  • Both: Avoid injuries ahead of official competitions.

Atmosphere at Tivoli Stadion

The Tivoli Stadion, with a capacity of 16,008, is lively despite the scoreline. WSG Tirol’s passionate fans push for a comeback, while the smaller contingent of Real Madrid supporters celebrates the goals by Militão and Mbappé. The mild 20°C weather in Innsbruck favors a fast, technical game.

The refereeing has been smooth, with few controversial moments so far. Real Madrid dominates offensively, but WSG Tirol has time to mount a response in the first half. The expectation is for an open game, with opportunities for both sides, especially if the Austrian team can balance the midfield.

Standout players

Beyond Eder Militão and Kylian Mbappé, who have already made their mark on the scoreline, other players have shone in the opening minutes. Arda Guler, just 20 years old, displays quality in set pieces, while Valentino Muller, WSG Tirol’s captain, tries to organize the defense against Real Madrid’s relentless attack.

• Players to watch:
  • Arda Guler: Creativity and precision in passing.
  • Valentino Muller: Leadership in WSG Tirol’s defense.
  • Vinicius Junior: Speed and dribbling on the left wing.
  • Lukas Hinterseer: Tirol’s main goal-scoring hope.