The Real Madrid secured its tenth victory in the Teresa Herrera Trophy with a last-minute goal from Brahim Díaz during their match against Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor on August 12, 2026. The game, part of Madrid’s pre-season preparations, ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors, with Brahim scoring in the 45th minute. The goal came after a defensive error by Deportivo's goalkeeper Leo Román, who had just made a save from a long throw-in by Andrii Lunin. The ball fell into Brahim’s path, and he controlled it before finishing with a right-footed shot past Román, securing the win for Madrid. The match was marked by a slow start from Real Madrid, with the team struggling to impose itself early on. José Mourinho’s side, still missing key players such as Courtois, Mbappé, Cucurella, and others, appeared hesitant in attack and lacked the usual intensity. The midfield trio of Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, and Arda Güler struggled to create opportunities, while the attacking pair of Brahim and Vinícius Júnior failed to generate consistent threats. Despite this, Madrid managed to dominate possession throughout much of the game, though their lack of urgency and rhythm became evident. Deportivo, under manager Antonio Hidalgo, presented a compact and well-organized defense, limiting Madrid’s chances. Their backline, bolstered by new signings such as Leo Román and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, remained resilient despite several attempts by the hosts to break through. The only real opportunity for Deportivo came in the 39th minute, when a cross from Lucas Noubi was saved by Lunin, prompting a quick counterattack that led to Brahim’s decisive goal. The goal came just before halftime, sealing Madrid’s lead and setting the tone for the remainder of the match. Mourinho, making his return to Spain after nearly two decades, fielded an experimental lineup aimed at testing different combinations ahead of the upcoming season. The Portuguese coach opted for Endrick up front, with Güler operating as a midfielder alongside Camavinga and Bernardo Silva. This setup did little to alleviate Madrid’s struggles in transition, particularly when facing a tightly packed defense. The absence of Rodri, who was reportedly close to joining the club, left a void in the central areas, forcing Mourinho to rely on older players like Valverde and Fede Valverde to provide stability. Despite the lack of cohesion, Madrid’s ability to capitalize on set-pieces proved crucial. The team created several chances from corners and free kicks, though they were unable to convert them into goals. The performance highlighted both strengths and weaknesses in the squad, with Brahim emerging as the standout player. His goal showcased his technical skills and composure under pressure, offering a glimpse of the potential that has drawn comparisons to some of the best attackers in the league. The match also saw several substitutions, with Mourinho giving minutes to younger players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lamini Fati, and Carlos Espí. These changes reflected the coach’s desire to integrate new faces into the squad while maintaining the core structure of the team. However, the overall performance suggested that Madrid will need time to gel as a unit, especially given the high expectations placed upon them following their recent successes. As the pre-season continues, Real Madrid will face further challenges in finding consistency and rhythm. With the La Liga season set to begin soon, the focus will shift towards refining tactics and building momentum. For now, the victory over Deportivo serves as a positive sign, albeit one that comes with questions about the team’s readiness for the demands of the campaign ahead.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Spain
