Ferencvaros 1-2 Real Madrid: Pre-season Victory and Key Performers

Real Madrid continued their winning momentum in pre-season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena in Budapest. This marked their third win in their last four friendly matches as they gear up for the upcoming La Liga season.

Mario Rivas and Carlos Espi netted early in each half, establishing a comfortable lead for Los Blancos. However, Kenan Kodro's well-taken goal midway through the second half narrowed the deficit and led to a tense final half-hour as the Hungarian side sought an equalizer.

Manager Jose Mourinho fielded a relatively youthful starting eleven. Notable absentees included players still recovering from World Cup commitments such as Mbappe, Bellingham, and Tchouameni, alongside the injured Courtois, Rodrygo, and Eder Militao. Despite these absences, the squad demonstrated sufficient quality to indicate their preparations are on course.

Arda Guler was a standout performer during the first hour of the match, consistently creating scoring opportunities from his attacking midfield role.

The opening goal came in the 41st minute. Alexis Ciria delivered a precise corner, and center-back Mario Rivas met it with a powerful header at the near post, finding the back of the net.

Following a significant number of substitutions at halftime, including the introductions of Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Junior, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid extended their lead within four minutes of the restart. Federico Valverde played a composed pass into the box, and Carlos Espi struck a first-time finish to make it 2-0. The young striker, who has been the subject of interest from several Premier League clubs this summer, has now scored in consecutive pre-season games.

Ferencvaros managed to pull a goal back in the 57th minute. Kristoffer Zachariassen advanced forward and found Kenan Kodro in space within the penalty area. Kodro turned and fired the ball into the bottom right corner.

The home team, who possessed a greater degree of competitive sharpness having already commenced their domestic league season and navigated Europa League qualifiers, intensified their efforts in the final quarter of the match. Goalkeeper Lunin was forced into a sharp save from a Zachariassen header in the 63rd minute.

English Translation:

Real Madrid secured their third win in their last four pre-season outings with a 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros at the Groupama Arena in Budapest, as Jose Mourinho’s side continued to build momentum ahead of the new La Liga season.

Mario Rivas and Carlos Espi struck early in each half to give Madrid a comfortable advantage, before Kenan Kodro’s smart finish gave the Hungarian side a consolation and set up a nervy final half-hour.

It was a relatively youthful starting lineup from Mourinho, with notable absentees still recovering from World Cup commitments and several players sidelined through injury.

But there was enough quality on show to suggest Madrid’s preparation is on track, with Arda Guler the standout performer across the first hour, creating chances consistently from his attacking midfield position.

Rivas opened the scoring in the 41st minute when a sharp delivery from a corner found the center-back who powered a header into the bottom corner.

Mourinho made sweeping changes at half-time. Within four minutes of the restart, a composed pass into the area was finished first-time by Carlos Espi for 2-0. The young striker, who has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs this summer, has now scored in consecutive pre-season fixtures.

Ferencvaros pulled one back in the 57th minute when a forward drive and a pass found Kodro in space inside the box, the striker turning and firing into the bottom right corner.

The hosts, who arrived with greater competitive sharpness having already kicked off their domestic season and navigated Europa League qualifying, pushed hard for an equalizer in the final quarter and the goalkeeper was forced into a sharp stop from a header in the 63rd minute.