Real Madrid Castilla were stunned in their international club friendly on 22 August 2026, falling to a 2-0 defeat against CD Atlético Baleares. What looked like a useful test for Castilla turned into a difficult evening as Atlético Baleares claimed a deserved victory with two well-taken goals.

Friendly but far from relaxed

Although the fixture was listed as an international club friendly, the intensity on the pitch told a different story. Atlético Baleares arrived with a clear game plan and executed it effectively, pressing Real Madrid Castilla high up the pitch and limiting their time on the ball. The visitors took the lead and then added a second to leave Castilla facing a two-goal deficit in front of their own supporters.

Castilla’s struggles

• Real Madrid Castilla found it difficult to break down a disciplined Atlético Baleares defence.
• The young Merengues had the majority of possession in spells but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
• Atlético Baleares looked sharp on the counter-attack and capitalised on defensive gaps with clinical finishing.

What the result tells us

For Real Madrid Castilla, the friendly provides an early warning ahead of the competitive season. The result offers a clear test of character and will likely give the coaching staff plenty to work on, particularly in terms of creativity against organised low blocks. Atlético Baleares, meanwhile, will enjoy a memorable result away from home, demonstrating that they can compete against a familiar brand name and leave with a clean sheet.