Kylian Mbappe netted again as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of La Liga.
Madrid has won all five of its first league games, with French starlet Mbappe scoring five goals.
Eder Militao opened the score after 22 minutes with a long-range shot, and Mbappe added the second from beyond the area early in the second half.
Madrid leads second-place Barcelona by five points, with Getafe hosting them on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham, an England international, came on as a late substitution in the final stages, his first after having shoulder surgery in the summer.
Mbappe, who scored twice from the penalty spot in midweek as Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a victory against Marseille, helped Alonso’s squad keep their perfect record in all competitions.
His goal effectively ended the game after Militao’s header had put Madrid ahead.
Alonso reinstated Vinicius Junior in the team and gave young attacker Gonzalo Garcia a rare start in an aggressive lineup.
Espanyol has not beaten Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu since 1996, although they have started the season brightly, ranking third in the city.
However, their trip to play Los Blancos served as a wake-up call, with Madrid comfortably leading the entire time.
Despite their dominance, center-back Militao’s powerful drive into the top left corner from long range broke the deadlock.
Mbappe shot barely wide after Vinicius’ excellent work before halftime.
Alonso has benched the Brazilian on a few occasions, and he is still playing below his best, despite setting up Mbappe for the second goal.
Vinicius sent the ball to Mbappe, who struck past Marko Dmitrovic at the near post from range.
Vinicius hit the post after Espanyol’s Serbian goalkeeper made a great double save on Mbappe.
In the later moments of Real Madrid’s comfortable afternoon, Alonso introduced Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga for their first appearances of the season.
Previously, Levante defeated Girona 4-0 despite having nine men on the field.
The Catalan minnows, who finished third in the 2023/24 season to qualify for the Champions League, are in last place this season, having not won a single game.
“After five weeks we are the worst team in the league, and all we can do is work hard,” said coach Michel Sanchez.
“I have to improve this team, and I will do it. It will be tricky to get out of this situation, but we’re not giving up the ghost.”
