Real Madrid Leads Racing Santander 3-0 at Halftime in Mourinho’s Return to El Sardinero

Real Madrid leads Racing Santander 3-0 at halftime in their La Liga matchday 11 clash at El Sardinero on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande scoring inside the first 36 minutes.

The match marks José Mourinho’s return to the stadium where he last coached Real Madrid 15 years ago. Real Madrid arrived in Santander after a 2-1 Clásico victory at Barcelona, while Racing were unbeaten at home this season.

First-half goals

Mbappé opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after referee Munuera Montero judged that Racing defender Prati had handled the ball. The decision was contested, with former referee González Fuertes telling Marca that ‘el brazo de Prati sobre Mbappé es poca cosa para señalar penalti’ (‘Prati’s arm on Mbappé is too little to award a penalty’).

Bellingham doubled the lead in the 21st minute, finishing a flowing move that involved Huijsen, Mbappé and Arda Güler. The England midfielder calmly rounded goalkeeper Agirrezabala before scoring.

Diomande made it 3-0 in the 36th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area after a corner was only partially cleared. The goal was widely described as the best of the first half.

Second half underway

The second half is in progress, with Real Madrid holding a 3-0 lead. Racing have pushed forward in search of a response, and Mbappé came close to adding a fourth when his shot struck the post around the 60th minute.

Racing were later awarded a penalty around the 72nd minute, according to live updates from COPE, though the score remained 0-3 at the time of the latest reports.

Real Madrid started with Courtois in goal, a defence of Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Huijsen and Cucurella, with Tchouaméni and Bernardo Silva in midfield and Bellingham, Arda Güler and Diomande supporting Mbappé.

The match remains ongoing, with Real Madrid on course to extend their winning run in La Liga.