Today's game between Espanyol and Real Madrid will kick-off at Aug 22, 2026, 3:30 PM.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid is available to watch live in the United States across several platforms. TV channel and live stream options are listed below.
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Real Madrid travel to the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona to face Espanyol in LaLiga, with Jose Mourinho's side looking to build on a positive pre-season as the new domestic campaign gets underway.
Espanyol arrive at this fixture sitting second in the early LaLiga standings, having opened with a 3-0 win over Levante. Manolo Gonzalez's side showed genuine intent on matchday one, though their squad depth will be tested by a handful of injury and suspension concerns.
Madrid, sitting 15th after the opening round, bring a squad packed with new faces and renewed ambition. Bernardo Silva has spoken openly about his excitement at making his LaLiga debut for the club, and the Portuguese midfielder is expected to feature from the start at the RCDE Stadium.
Yan Diomande, Madrid's record signing, faces a baptism of fire in Spanish football. The 19-year-old has already drawn comparisons with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, and this away fixture gives him an early chance to answer his critics on the pitch.
Mourinho, meanwhile, has made headlines this week for his candid public comments, including his stance on transfer targets and his relationship with the squad. Whatever the noise off the pitch, Madrid's manager will be focused on collecting three points on the road.
Here is everything you need to know about where to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid, including TV channel, live stream options, and kick-off time.
How to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid with VPN
If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.
A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. A step-by-step guide is described later in this article, or you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
Team news & squads
Espanyol vs Real Madrid Probable lineups
Starting XI
Manager
- M. Gonzalez
- J. Mourinho
Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez is without Javier Puado and Kike Garcia through injury, while Leandro Cabrera serves a suspension. The projected XI features Marko Dmitrovic in goal, with a back four of Omar El Hilali, Quilindschy Hartman, Clemens Riedel, and Unai Nunez. Edu Exposito, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Tyrhys Dolan, and Alex Calatrava are named in midfield, with Javi Hernandez and Roberto Fernandez leading the attack.
Real Madrid head into the fixture with a lengthy injury list. Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Ferland Mendy, and Endrick are all sidelined. Jose Mourinho's projected XI has Thibaut Courtois in goal, a back four of Dean Huijsen, Antonio Ruediger, Marc Cucurella, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Yan Diomande and Jude Bellingham in midfield alongside Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva, and Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Updates will be added closer to kick-off if the situation changes.
Form
Espanyol come into this match with one win, three draws, and one defeat from their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 3-0 victory over Levante in LaLiga, and they drew 3-3 with Middlesbrough and 2-2 with Burnley during pre-season. Across those five matches, they scored ten goals and conceded six, though three of the five results ended level.
Real Madrid arrive with four wins and one draw from their last five matches. Their most recent outing ended in a 3-0 win over Schalke 04, and they beat Leganes 4-1 earlier in pre-season. A 2-2 draw with Fiorentina was the only occasion they failed to win. Madrid scored eleven goals and conceded six across the five games, maintaining a consistent attacking output throughout their preparations.
Head-to-Head Record
Head to Head
The most recent meeting between these clubs ended 0-2 to Real Madrid, with Espanyol hosting at the RCDE Stadium in LaLiga on May 3, 2026. Across the last five LaLiga encounters, Madrid hold a clear advantage with four wins to Espanyol's one — that sole Espanyol victory coming at home in February 2025, when they won 1-0. The aggregate score across all five matches stands at 10 goals for Madrid and three for Espanyol.
Standings
In the early LaLiga standings, Espanyol sit second while Real Madrid are placed 15th after the opening round of fixtures.
Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid today
NordVPN- Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.
- Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).
- Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.
- Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.
How to watch on the Big Screen
Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:
- Smart TVs & Fire Stick: Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.
- Apple TV, Roku & Consoles: These devices often don't support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.