Real Madrid takes lead against Deportivo with Brahim Diaz goal in Teresa Herrera Trophy return

Real Madrid kicked off their return to the Teresa Herrera Trophy with a 1-0 lead against Deportivo La Coruña on Tuesday night, courtesy of a Brahim Diaz strike shortly after the whistle blew at Estadio Riazor.

The match, the 81st edition of the storied pre-season tournament, marks Real Madrid’s first appearance in the competition since 2013.

Diaz delivers in Mourinho’s pre-season puzzle

Brahim Diaz started the match as part of a three-pronged attack alongside Vinícius Júnior and Endrick. The trio represents a blend of experience and youthful explosiveness that head coach José Mourinho appears keen to develop ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Diaz, who turned 27 on August 3, has been at Real Madrid since January 2019, with a loan spell at AC Milan providing a detour along the way. Seven titles at the club, including a UEFA Champions League medal, have cemented his credentials.

For Deportivo La Coruña, who hold the tournament record with 26 titles in the Teresa Herrera Trophy’s long history, the early deficit was hardly the script they wanted on their own turf.

New faces blend with familiar ones

Beyond the scoreline, the more compelling subplot involves Real Madrid’s squad composition. Mourinho’s lineup featured recent acquisitions Denzel Dumfries and Dean Huijsen alongside established names like Antonio Rüdiger and Eduardo Camavinga.

The Teresa Herrera Trophy: more than a friendly

For those unfamiliar, the Teresa Herrera Trophy is one of the oldest and most prestigious pre-season tournaments in European football, traditionally hosted in A Coruña. Deportivo’s 26 titles in the competition reflect the tournament’s deep roots in the Galician club’s identity.

The 9:00 PM CEST kickoff on August 12 placed the match squarely in primetime for Spanish audiences, and Real Madrid’s early lead ensured that casual viewers tuning in were greeted with action rather than a cautious opening period.

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