REPORT. 08/28/2022. Rodrigo Salamanca. Photographer: Helios de la Rubia
Vini Jr. opened the scoring for Real Madrid who, joined by Espanyol before the break, made the difference thanks to two late goals from the captain.
Real Madrid continues to chain success at the start of La Liga. Ancelotti’s men picked up a third straight win against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium to take the league lead. Benzema once again proved why he is UEFA’s Player of the Year by giving our side all three points with two late goals.
Before that, the start of the match was balanced, neither team creating chances until Vini Jr. opened the scoring (12′). The Brazilian takes advantage of a pass in space and behind the defense of Tchouameni to cross his shot and shake the net. Shortly after, Lecomte must work to avoid a new goal from the Brazilian, following a solo number on the left flank.
Equalizer for Espanyol
Real pushes and connects major offensives. Like when Vini Jr. finds the crossbar, then Kroos sees his curling shot flirt with the upright. As the end of the first half approached, Espanyol woke up and even managed to equalise. In the heart of the area, Joselu comes up against Courtois’ superb save, but takes advantage of the dismissal to score at close range.
The second act resumes with Espanyol determined to play higher. Puado is thus the first to stand out, with a shot that is too high (52′). Moments later, it was Joselu’s turn to make Courtois shine one-on-one (59′). The meeting turns into a back and forth between the two surfaces, which pushes Ancelotti to launch Rodrygo and Camavinga. The result is felt quickly on the counter-attack, a phase in which the French midfielder shines, who finds Benzema, whose curl is repelled by a good intervention from Lecomte.
Benzema, always decisive
Our team continues to press, like Kroos, who crosses from the left for Benzema, at close range, who hits the mark. But the assistant referee indicates offside and the goal is canceled. dominance madridista is finally rewarded in the 88th minute thanks to the inevitable Benzema. From the left side, Rodrygo crosses for the captain who scores at the far post. Never satisfied, the French finished the job in added time. After the expulsion of Lecomte for a foul near the surface on Ceballos, Benzema does not forgive and signs the final 1-3 on a free kick.