* Goals: Militao 10', Mbappe 13' & 59', Rodrygo 81'

According to the Opta Power Rankings, WSG Tirol is ranked 841st, while Real Madrid sits at 7th globally.

This difference in class was evident at Tivoli-Neu Stadium in Innsbruck yesterday. Despite their home advantage, WSG Tirol only managed 22% possession and a single shot, while Real Madrid had 21 shots with 9 on target.

Eder Militao celebrates his opening goal in Real Madrid's 4-0 friendly win over WSG Tirol at Tivoli-Neu Stadium, Innsbruck, Austria on 12/8. Photo: Real Madrid

Eder Militao celebrates his opening goal in Real Madrid's 4-0 friendly win over WSG Tirol at Tivoli-Neu Stadium, Innsbruck, Austria on 12/8. Photo: Real Madrid

Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from Eder Militao. The Brazilian center-back is back in top form after missing most of last season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

Mbappe then took center stage. The French forward doubled the lead with a close-range shot in the 13th minute. In the second half, he completed his brace, sprinting into the box, rounding the goalkeeper, and slotting the ball into an empty net.

In the 81st minute, Mbappe danced around defenders in the penalty area before laying the ball off to substitute Rodrygo, who sealed the 4-0 victory. Rodrygo's future remains uncertain amid interest from Manchester City and Arsenal. In this match, the Brazilian forward started on the bench and only entered the game in the second half.

Kylian Mbappe (right) celebrates a goal with Vinicius and Arda Guler. Photo: Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe (right) celebrates a goal with Vinicius and Arda Guler. Photo: Real Madrid

Real Madrid concluded their preseason preparations smoothly. After participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, the team regrouped on 4/8 and played a closed-door training match at Valdebebas, defeating Leganes 4-1 on 8/8.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, one of the biggest questions surrounding new manager Xabi Alonso is whether to continue with the three-center-back formation he employed at Leverkusen or revert to Real Madrid's familiar back four.

At the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Spanish manager experimented, alternating between 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 formations. However, the two preseason friendlies have provided some clarity on Alonso's preferred approach.

In both matches, Real Madrid played with a back four. Against Leganes, Alonso fielded Dani Carvajal, Raul Asencio, Huijsen Dean, and Alvaro Carreras. This formation was retained against WSG Tirol yesterday, with the only change being Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and Militao replacing Asencio.

Alonso's team will begin their La Liga campaign against Osasuna at the Bernabeu on 19/8.

Hong Duy