Report from Goodison Park as Everton Under-21s go down 2-0 to Real Madrid Castilla Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup
BRADFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: George Pickford of Everton U21 during the Vertu Trophy match between Bradford City and Everton U21 at University of Bradford Stadium on October 14, 2025 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
George Pickford saved a penalty and made several other good stops for Everton U21s in the loss to their Real Madrid counterparts
View Image
Everton Under-21s suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid Castilla Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup after a difficult 90 minutes at Goodison Park.
The Blues' first outing in the competition this season was decided by a brace of goals from Pol Fortuny, scored at the end of each half, but it could’ve been even more for the Spaniards, with George Pickford having to make a number of top saves throughout the match.
However, the affair started fairly equally in the first quarter of an hour, before the visitors were awarded a penalty, as William Tamen’s challenge on Loren Zuniga gave the referee no choice but to give the spot kick.
Author avatar
Author avatar
Captain Manuel Angel Moran stepped up, but his effort was saved by Pickford, who dived to his right and prevented Madrid from getting the opener.
The trend set by the first 30 minutes continued right up until the half-time whistle, with Alvaro Arbeloa’s side having more of the possession, while the hosts looked to use the counter.
After a few saves from Pickford, the breakthrough came, just before the half-time break, as Fortuny got on the end of a loose ball inside the Everton penalty area, after deflections off several others allowed the 20-year-old to have a simple chance at goal, which he took.
The second half started with Paul Tait’s side on top, but by the hour mark Madrid had found their first-half form, with Fortuny having a good attempt tipped over, before Alvaro Leiva’s effort rolled into Pickford’s arms.
The challenge facing the Blues became severely more difficult by the sending off of Jack Patterson in the 66th minute, after the No.8 came through the back of Fortuny.
From there, Castilla completely asserted themselves on the game, with the extra man allowing them to dominate possession and keep Everton at an arm’s length.
As the final whistle drew near, Omari Benjamin did have two chances to save a point for the Blues, however Madrid ended up doubling their lead in the dying moments of additional time, with the goal again coming from Fortuny.
The winger claimed his second by getting on the end of a pinpoint cutback, which allowed the Spaniard to calmly pick his spot, and place the ball past Pickford.
Madrid, managed by former Liverpool full-back Arbeloa, travel back to the Spanish capital as leaders of the group, on seven points from three matches, while Everton sit bottom after the first outing.
The Blues play two more games in the competition before the year is out, hosting PSV Eindhoven and Monaco at Goodison on December 15 and December 19 respectively, before returning to Premier League 2 action in January.