Karim Benzema netted a dramatic late brace as Real Madrid maintained their good begin to the season by beating Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday night time.
Vinicius Junior had put Los Blancos forward earlier than Joselu equalised, however the talismanic Benzema stole the factors for the guests by changing Rodrygo’s cross within the 88th minute. He then netted a free kick after goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte was despatched off.
Chances have been at a minimal till the guests opened the scoring within the twelfth minute. Tchouameni – on the base of Real’s midfield following Casemiro’s transfer to Manchester United – charged ahead and linked with Lucas Vazquez earlier than choosing out Vinicius to complete into the far nook.
The Brazilian introduced a very good cease from Lecomte earlier than Espanyol bought again on stage phrases. Oscar Gil discovered Joselu and the previous Newcastle striker discovered a well beyond Thiabout Courtois on the second try to equalise.
A fast nook practically produced a lead for the house facet as Brian Olivan pinged it to the again publish the place Joselu was ready, however Courtois bought his arm as much as deny him.
Lecomte was then known as into motion once more, diving at full stretch to disclaim Benzema after wonderful driving midfield play from substitute Eduardo Camavinga.
The guests weren’t to be denied the victory as Rodrygo reduce inside and clipped a exact cross in the direction of the again publish for the lurking Benzema to prod in on the volley and take Real again to the highest of the La Liga desk.
The drama did not finish there, nonetheless, as house goalkeeper Lecomte whacked Dani Ceballos on the sting of the field to earn a crimson card, finally given after a lot deliberation from the officers.
Stand-in goalkeeper Leandro Cabrera had no likelihood from the ensuing free kick, getting his footwork in a tangle as Benzema speared his shot into the close to nook so as to add some gloss to the scoreline.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Regularly known as into motion and saved his facet from falling behind. Just could not deny Joselu on the second time of asking.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 6/10 – Worked extraordinarily exhausting down the best and created one first rate alternative.
CB: Eder Militao – 5/10 – Somewhat unfortunate to have the ball ricochet off his again and into Joselu’s path for the equaliser. Not that convincing all through.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Very good with the ball, hardly ever giving it away. Effective in defence.
LB: David Alaba – 7/10 – Got ahead very continuously and linked up successfully with Vinicius.
CM: Luka Modric – 5/10 – Not at his majestic finest and was rightfully introduced off for Camavinga so as to add some extra legs in midfield.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 8/10 – Got the beginning after Casemiro’s departure and did not disappoint, recovering the ball effectively and transferring assaults ahead from the bottom of midfield.
CM: Toni Kroos: – 6/10 – Had a game-high 97 touches and pulled the strings in midfield. Did lose the ball just a little simply at occasions.
RW: Federico Valverde- 6/10 – Didn’t shirk his workload however struggled for moments of fluency in assault.
ST: Karim Benzema – 7/10 – Saved his finest till the tip, connecting with Vinicius’ cross earlier than including a free kick to his tally for the night time.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 8/10 – Showed the chilly edge he has added to his sport with the opener of the night time. Had a few different efforts saved and blocked however seemed threatening all night time.
SUB: Eduardo Camavinga (58′ for Modric) – 7/10 – Helped Real drive from midfield.
SUB: Rodrygo (58′ for Valverde) – 7/10 – Terrific cross was transformed by Benzema for 2-1.
SUB: Dani Ceballos (80′ for Kroos) – 6/10 – Got his leg booted by Lecomte as the goalkeeper was despatched off and the following free kick scored by Benzema.
SUB: Dani Carvajal (85′ for Vazquez) – 6/10 – On for the ultimate few phases, which included a giant chunk of added time.
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti – 7/10 – Ancelotti bought the timing of his first substitutions spot on as the added legs helped Real over the road. night time’s work.