Real Madrid News
Benzema set to miss Real Madrid vs RCD Mallorca, Hazard to start
As per the latest reports from AS, Real Madrid will be without club captain and ace goalscorer Karim Benzema for their upcoming La Liga clash against RCD Mallorca after he picked up an injury on Tuesday. Eden Hazard is likely to start in place of the French superstar.
Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 win over Celtic in their UEFA Champions League opener at Parkhead on Tuesday. However, the win came at the expense of Benzema’s injury, with the UEFA Player of the Year being subbed off just thirty minutes into the contest due to a knee issue.
Following the game, reports emerged that the Real Madrid doctors were optimistic that the issue was not a major one. However, it looks like the 34-year-old superstar will be unable to recover in time for Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga clash.
Los Blancos will lock horns with RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon. And as per the aforementioned report, Benzema is unlikely to be available for the encounter on matchday five of La Liga.
In his place, Eden Hazard, who replaced Benzema after his injury against Celtic, is in line to feature from kickoff.
The champions of Spain and Europe do not have a natural centre-forward to cover for Benzema, having failed to sign anyone in the summer. While Mariano Diaz is on the squad, the 29-year-old is no longer favoured by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
But the form that Hazard displayed at Celtic Park will come as somewhat as a relief for Los Blancos. The Belgian international was one of Real Madrid’s better performers on the night and capped off the display with a goal.
With Benzema set to be unavailable, Ancelotti and Real Madrid will need Hazard to carry on from where he left off in Scotland and stake a claim for more regular involvement after a slow start to the season.
The Merengues have won each of their four La Liga matches so far and will be eager to continue that run and keep their lead over rivals Barcelona intact.
Real Madrid News
Carlos Espi reacts after scoring match-winning goal in Elche 2-3 Real Madrid: ‘Starting like this is a dream’
Carlos Espi is becoming Real Madrid’s unlikely late-game specialist.
The 21-year-old once again came off the bench to rescue Jose Mourinho’s side, this time scoring the 91st-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Elche.
It was his second goal for the club, and both have arrived at crucial moments.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Espi could barely contain his excitement.
“I’m so happy—the happiest man in the world. I try to help the team any way I can, and every time I step onto the field, I give it my all and come away feeling great.
“Starting like this has been a dream. This isn’t over yet; we’re going to keep going because we have Sunday’s match coming up.
Carlos Espi winning goal in Elche vs Real Madrid game. Mbappe assist. pic.twitter.com/STJBV3ikQL
— Daily Foot Vibes (@dailyfootvibes) September 16, 2026
“This is a team effort. All of us who take the field make the most of our opportunities and give it our all,” he began.
Espi keeps making his minutes count
There is a growing pattern to Espi’s involvement. Even though he has yet to start a match for the first team, that has not stopped him from making an impact.
His first goal arrived against Espanyol in Real Madrid’s opening game, when another late strike helped secure the result.
Against Elche, he was required again after Real Madrid surrendered a two-goal lead and suddenly found themselves in serious trouble.
Espi eventually appeared at the back post in the 91st minute and finished the move to give Mourinho’s team all three points.
The youngster shared the credit with his teammates, but he also had special praise for the player who supplied his decisive moment.
That assist came from Kylian Mbappe, whose presence has made Espi’s route into the starting XI particularly difficult.
“It’s unbelievable—it’s crazy to watch him train and play. In this case, he set me up for the goal, and I’m very happy for him, too.”
First Madrid derby already has Espi excited
The timing of Espi’s latest contribution could hardly be more interesting, as Real Madrid now face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, giving the forward an opportunity to experience his first Madrid derby.
“I’m really looking forward to it—I’m so excited. It’s my first derby here, and we’re going to go for it.”
For Mourinho, Espi is a useful option when matches become chaotic. He may not yet be a regular starter, but his two appearances on the scoresheet have carried considerably more weight than the minutes he has played.
