Madrid’s opening 45 minutes were all about territory and tempo. They out-shot Deportivo 10-1 before the break, found six of those efforts inside the box and drew two fouls in the final third. The key moment came right at the half’s close, when Lunin’s long distribution became an assist and Brahim finished with precision. Sofascore’s event feed recorded the action as a fast break, with the shot guided low into the right side of the net.

Deportivo’s only first-half shot on target was well dealt with, and their two first-half saves kept them in touch. Corner count favored Madrid 4-2 and their final-third entries were already stacking up at 55-17. Even so, the home side’s back line blocked three attempts and won 80% of their tackles before the whistle. It was a half that underlined Madrid’s depth in the attacking band and the hosts’ appetite for last-ditch defending.

What the numbers say

Across the 90 minutes, the statistical shape supported the away win. Madrid had 56% possession and completed 551 of 617 passes, while Deportivo finished on 427 of 485. Final-third entries leaned heavily Madrid’s way at 77-36, and touches in the penalty area were 28-10 to the visitors. The away side also created the game’s only big chances, converting one and missing one.

Quality of delivery counted. Madrid completed 5 of 11 crosses at 45%, compared to Deportivo’s 2 of 10 at 20%. Long balls landed fractionally better for Madrid too, 21 of 38 (55%) vs 18 of 36 (50%). In duels, Madrid’s physical edge was stark: 63% overall duel win rate, including a commanding 78% in the air (14 of 18). The away average Sofascore Rating settled at 7.88 versus Deportivo’s 6.99, a tidy reflection of control in key zones.

Deportivo’s defensive stand

If you are wondering how a match with that territorial tilt still finished 1-0, look at the defending column. Deportivo posted 25 clearances to Madrid’s 15 and matched interceptions 12-12. They also won 75% of their tackles across the match, a sharp figure compared to Madrid’s 56%. The back four and midfield band stuck to their 4-4-2 habits, closing half-spaces and forcing Madrid wide.

The second half brought more home resistance. The hosts won 5 of 7 tackles after the break, added 10 more clearances and pressed just enough to make Madrid play longer. Fouls rose to 13 for Deportivo by full time, a byproduct of breaking up rhythm, though they avoided any bookings. Their goalkeeper contributed three saves overall, including two from inside the box, and one categorized as a big save in the team statistics. In a friendly that tilted toward Madrid’s possession plan, this is how you keep a door ajar.

Second-half swing and changes

The hosts produced their best spell after half-time, out-shooting Madrid 9-3 over the final 45. Substitutions gave Deportivo fresh legs out wide and at full-back, with Miguel Loureiro and Giacomo Quagliata introduced, plus David Mella offering running lanes. Further changes followed as Arnau Comas, Zakaria Eddahchouri, Dani Barcia, Teun Gijselhart and Riki Rodríguez rotated in. That wave helped create two shots on target in the half and four more off target, but not the finish they chased.

Madrid also tweaked at the break and soon after. Trent Alexander-Arnold replaced Antonio Rüdiger and delivered 37 of 39 passes, 2 accurate crosses and 2 key passes, while Federico Valverde’s control in midfield (30 of 33 passes) stabilized transitions. Mario Rivas came in at left center-back and kept it clean, while Carlos Espí led the line in the second half, winning aerial balls and getting into a big-chance position that went astray. Yellow cards for Rüdiger (29’), Camavinga (47’) and Denzel Dumfries (82’) told the story of Madrid’s intensity without derailing the structure. Lunin added two more saves after the break to protect the one-goal cushion. In short, the bench moves helped Madrid keep the ball and the lead.

MVP: Leo Román’s shot-stopping keeps it close

Sofascore’s Player of the Match was Deportivo goalkeeper Leo Román, who posted a Sofascore Rating 8. He made 3 saves, with 2 coming from inside the box, and registered a “big save” within the team goalkeeping stats. His distribution was tidy under pressure, completing 34 of 41 passes and 34 of 36 in his own half. He also recorded 6 ball recoveries and won his only duel, which is a nice bonus for a keeper who faced sustained pressure.

Román’s 46 touches and calm handling helped Deportivo ride out Madrid’s surges, particularly in the first half. When the penalty area crowded, he stayed decisive, contributing to 25 total team clearances by claiming or directing traffic. In a match where Madrid led in final-third entries, crosses and aerial duels, his positioning narrowed angles and forced extra passes. That consistency goes a long way in friendlies where defensive rhythm can be tricky with multiple substitutions. His performance earned him the top honor ahead of a strong set of visiting displays. For context, Andriy Lunin checked in with a 7.9, adding 3 saves and a rare goalkeeper assist on Brahim’s goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 7.8, Brahim Díaz’s 7.6 and Dean Huijsen’s 7.6 rounded out the leading visiting contributions.