Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga has enjoyed an impressive international break with France, making up for the World Cup he missed out on.
He did not need much time to make his presence felt for France against Italy, producing an impressive 14-minute cameo in the Nations League encounter.
The Los Blancos midfielder entered late in the contest but immediately became involved, registering two shots on target and creating one chance while barely putting a foot wrong in possession.
Camavinga wastes no time
Camavinga completed nine of his 10 attempted passes and succeeded with his only dribble.
The 23-year-old was equally effective when challenged, winning both of his duels. He also recorded one recovery and two clearances during his short appearance.
🚨🇫🇷 Eduardo Camavinga's performance against Italy:
• 14 minutes played
• 2 shots on target
• 1 chance created
• 9/10 passes completed
• 100% dribbles completed (1/1)
• 100% duels won (2/2)
• 1 recovery
• 2 clearances. pic.twitter.com/9PWVZYNooS
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) October 2, 2026
Two shots on target in only 14 minutes are particularly noteworthy. Camavinga is not generally judged by his goal threat but showed a willingness to attack the box.
It followed his strong performance against Belgium earlier in the international window, when he completed 62 of 66 passes, created three chances and won six ground duels.
Another reminder for Mourinho
For Jose Mourinho, these international performances should be encouraging.
Real Madrid have considerable midfield competition, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde and Bernardo Silva among the options available alongside Camavinga.
Camavinga, however, offers a skill set that is hard to replicate. His ability to carry the ball through pressure, cover ground defensively and operate in several midfield roles gives Mourinho considerable tactical flexibility.
Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid player
Camavinga has the chance to play an important role for Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Fourteen minutes against Italy is obviously too small a sample size. However, viewed alongside the Belgium performance, it becomes much more encouraging.
Camavinga took responsibility in the minutes he was given. He demanded possession, progressed play and tested the goalkeeper twice.
Camavinga will return to Madrid facing fierce competition for minutes, but performances like this could strengthen his case.
Fede Valverde is currently nursing an injury and Aurelien Tchouameni has just returned from one. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva has not exactly set the stage alight at the Bernabeu.
With Mourinho still trying to identify his preferred midfield duo, the door remains open for the Frenchman, and it remains to be seen how his role in the team develops.
Real Madrid star could make senior Spain debut after stunning five-goal U21 performance
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images
Carlos Espi is living the life most young players would dream of. He secured a move to Real Madrid from Levante in the summer.
He scored on his La Liga debut for his new team against Espanyol, helping them secure all three points, and has made the most of the limited minutes he has been given.
His good form earned him a call-up to the Spain Under-21 side, where he scored five and assisted two on his first start against San Marino Under-21s.
This performance has now put him in contention to make his senior Spain debut tomorrow, replacing the injured Ferran Torres.
Sometimes, when the stars align, they align too perfectly to be believable. In Espi’s case, it has been a fairytale.
Espi admits his life has changed
Speaking to El Chiringuito after his sudden promotion, the Real Madrid youngster admitted the speed of his rise has been difficult to process.
“My life has completely changed,” Espi said.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Carlos Espi has done really well for Madrid in limited opportunities so far. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
It is easy to understand why. Less than 24 hours after describing that Under-21 performance as a “special night,” Espi finds himself potentially one appearance away from becoming a senior Spain international.
The opposition, San Marino, naturally has to be considered, but Espi has repeatedly made the most of extremely limited opportunities this season.
Jose Mourinho has used him for only 26 minutes across Real Madrid’s opening eight matches, yet the striker has already scored twice.
His late goals against Espanyol and Elche directly helped Madrid collect four points. The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore.
A pattern is beginning to emerge
Espi does not need many touches or extended spells of possession to influence matches. His penalty-box movement and instinct for scoring goals have made him an effective option from the bench.
Carlos Espi, Real Madrid player
Espi is in the running for a senior Spain cap. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
A senior Spain debut would represent an extraordinary rise to fame for a player who entered this international break with only one Under-21 appearance.
It would also provide Mourinho with another reason to consider giving Espi greater responsibility at Madrid.
The presence of Kylian Mbappe means Espi is unlikely to be a starter for Los Blancos. What he can do, however, is make every performance count.
Whether they come with Los Blancos, Spain Under-21s or the senior La Roja team, that is exactly what he is doing, and it remains to be seen how Espi fares for Luis de la Fuente’s team.