LaLiga 2026/27 · Matchday 11 · Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, Santander
Racing Santander
0
:
3
Real Madrid
Sunday, 1 November 2026 · Att: 22,892 · Ref: José Luis Munuera Montero
Mbappé 11' (pen)
Bellingham 22' (ast. Güler)
Diomande 36'
Bellingham 90+1' (ruled out, offside)
⚽ Milestones at El Sardinero: Jude Bellingham reached 50 goals for Real Madrid in his 154th game, and Real Madrid made their first league visit to Santander in 15 years. The last one was a 0 to 0 draw in September 2011, with José Mourinho on the touchline then as well.
If you want a case study in how to win an away game in 36 minutes, Real Madrid just wrote it. At a sold out El Sardinero, against a newly promoted Racing side that had not lost at home all season, Mourinho's team scored three times inside 36 minutes, then managed the rest of the afternoon like a company protecting a quarter it had already closed. Sixth win in a row, 18 goals scored and 6 conceded across the run, and a clean sheet to finish the trip.
The selection told its own story. Vinícius Júnior was suspended and Federico Valverde was left out after a knock, so Mourinho handed Trent Alexander-Arnold the right back slot, chose a 4-2-3-1 and put Güler on the right of a front line that also featured Bellingham and Diomande behind Mbappé. Courtois returned in goal. The shape worked immediately. Racing pressed high, as they do against everyone, and Madrid's technical quality in tight spaces turned that pressure into space behind the first line.
The opener came on 11 minutes. Mbappé went down under a challenge from Matteo Prati, the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, and the Frenchman sent Agirrezabala the wrong side of the power. It was a contentious decision and Racing's bench let the referee know it. Courtois then answered with the only real save of his afternoon, denying Iker Luque a minute later. After that the match belonged to the visitors. Güler threaded a pass for Bellingham to finish on 22 minutes, and Diomande curled a right footed shot into the top corner from outside the box after a corner to make it 3-0 on 36.
The second half was about control. Mbappé hit the post after a driving run, Bellingham forced saves from Agirrezabala and had a stoppage time goal ruled out for offside, and Tchouaméni survived a handball appeal when the referee decided the ball had struck his foot first. Mourinho made just two changes, Brahim for Güler on 67 minutes and Endrick for Diomande on 85. The expected goals read 3.45 to 1.15 and the shots 22 to 10. Efficient, repeatable, and exactly what a title chase demands.
Mourinho After The Match
Mourinho did speak to the media at El Sardinero, and his message was balanced. He praised the start, admitted Racing stayed dangerous even at 3-0, said the game could have finished four or five to nil with the second half chances but also could have turned complicated, and defended his decision to start Trent over Dumfries because of Trent's technical quality against a pressing team. He also said Racing protest everything, while adding that he likes the stadium and the fans.
"In the first half, we were very strong."
José Mourinho, press conference at El Sardinero (Real Madrid official)
"Trent was really good today."
José Mourinho on Alexander-Arnold (Yahoo Sports)
"I never considered this game a done deal."
José Mourinho on the second half (Tribuna)
"We're not quite at 100% yet, but we are growing."
José Mourinho on the team's understanding (Managing Madrid)
Player Ratings
Ratings blend the published scores from Goal, SI, The 4th Official, Sofascore and Sportsdunia with our own read of the match. Formation: 4-2-3-1. Only Brahim Díaz and Endrick are confirmed as substitutes in the reports reviewed.
🧤 Goalkeeper
7.0
#1
Thibaut Courtois
A quiet afternoon with one moment that mattered. He kept out Iker Luque's effort in the 12th minute, right after the penalty, and that early save protected the lead while Madrid settled. After that Racing rarely tested him, and the clean sheet was a team product more than a goalkeeper showcase.
Goal: 7.0 · 4th Official: 7.0 · SI: 7.1 · Our Rating: 7.0
🛡️ Defenders
7.5
#12
Trent Alexander-Arnold
A start he had to earn the hard way, after a week of transfer talk and a spell on the fringes. Mourinho picked him for ball progression and composure against Racing's press, and the choice paid off. SI described a probing display, helped by Güler drifting inside and leaving him the right flank. Mourinho's own verdict was enthusiastic. The message for the squad is clear: the manager will use depth when the matchup calls for it.
SI: 7.8 · 4th Official: 7.0 · Our Rating: 7.5
6.5
#16
Ibrahima Konaté
A steady shift beside Huijsen in a back four that kept a clean sheet. Nothing flashy, nothing costly. On a day when the headlines belonged to the attack, that is precisely the job description.
4th Official: 6.5 · Our Rating: 6.5
8.0
#4
Dean Huijsen
The defensive standout, and the numbers back it up. Sofascore recorded 7 clearances, 4 blocks, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions, plus 58 successful passes from 64, and gave him an 8.3. He read Racing's long and direct play early and turned it into clean possession.
Sofascore: 8.3 · 4th Official: 7.5 · Our Rating: 8.0
7.5
#17
Marc Cucurella
Reliable on the left and part of the clean sheet. He gave the back line balance while the attackers did the talking, and he handled Racing's pressing without being rushed into mistakes.
4th Official: 7.5 · Our Rating: 7.5
⚽ Midfielders
7.5
#14
Aurélien Tchouaméni
The anchor who let the creators play. He held the midfield with conviction, though he added little in the final third, which is not his remit in this system. One nervy moment arrived in the second half, when a handball appeal went against him, and the referee ruled that the ball hit his foot first. No penalty, no drama, three points.
4th Official: 7.5 · Our Rating: 7.5
6.5
#20
Bernardo Silva
Worked hard in both halves and helped Madrid manage Racing's pressure, but he struggled to threaten the goal himself. A support role on a day when others had the spotlight.
4th Official: 6.5 · Our Rating: 6.5
8.7
#15
Arda Güler 🅰 22' ↓ 67' Sofascore MOTM
The architect. Güler played as a right winger in name only, roaming across the front line and picking out spaces in Racing's back line. His through ball for Bellingham's goal arrived on time and into space, he created chance after chance for teammates, and he forced Agirrezabala into two saves of his own. Sofascore rated him top of the match with an 8.7 and Goal gave him a 9. Taken off on 67 minutes with the job done.
Sofascore: 8.7 · Goal: 9.0 · SI: 8.5 · 4th Official: 8.5 · Our Rating: 8.7
8.9
#5
Jude Bellingham ⚽ 22'
Everywhere at once. He arrived in the box at the right moment for the second goal, hit a header and a close range effort that forced saves, and set up the Mbappé shot that came back off the post. His late goal in stoppage time was ruled out for offside, which kept the score at 3-0 but not his energy level. The 50th Real Madrid goal of his career, in 154 games, came in a performance that Sportsdunia called the best on the pitch at 9.1.
Sportsdunia: 9.1 · Goal: 9.0 · 4th Official: 9.0 · Sofascore: 8.4 · Our Rating: 8.9
8.3
#25
Yan Diomande ⚽ 36' ↓ 85'
Another goal, and another that belongs on a highlight reel. After a corner, he curled a right footed shot into the top corner from outside the box. He is now the first Madrid player this season with two goals from outside the area, and he has reached four goals and four assists across all competitions. His work without the ball also earned praise, with Mourinho singling out the defensive effort of Diomande and Bellingham. A winger who scores, assists and tracks back is a rare product.
4th Official: 8.5 · SI: 8.5 · Sofascore: 8.2 · Goal: 8.0 · Our Rating: 8.3
🔥 Forward
8.0
#10
Kylian Mbappé ⚽ 11' (pen)
He set the tone from the spot in the 11th minute, a penalty that drew plenty of debate but was converted with total authority. He then stayed a handful for Racing's defenders all afternoon and hit the post after a strong run in the second half. The goal was his first against Racing, which means he has now scored against 24 different LaLiga opponents. Not his most explosive day, but a professional one.
4th Official: 8.0 · Our Rating: 8.0
🔄 Substitutes
6.1
#21
Brahim Díaz ↑ 67'
Replaced Güler and kept the ball moving while Madrid managed the game. A tidy rather than decisive cameo.
SI: 6.2 · 4th Official: 6.0 · Our Rating: 6.1
6.1
#9
Endrick ↑ 85'
Replaced Diomande and was lively straight away. He fired wide from distance in stoppage time and set up a late Mbappé effort, a short but energetic appearance.
Goal: 6.0 · SI: 6.2 · Our Rating: 6.1
The takeaway for anyone following the title race: Real Madrid are now winning in several different ways. They can win a seven goal thriller in Rome, a Clásico on the road, and a pressing contest in a tight stadium, all inside three weeks. Third place and 27 points leave them within reach of Barcelona, with AEK Athens next in Europe. The squad is growing, as Mourinho said, and the Santander trip suggests the growth is real. Hala Madrid.
Labels:
2026/27
LaLiga
Matchday 11
Away Win
Player Ratings
Real Madrid
Racing Santander
Bellingham
Güler
Diomande
Mbappé
Mourinho
November
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