Real were 1-0 down to an own goal in their home game against Espanyol Barcelona. But then Carlo Ancelotti brought Vinicius Junior into play and turned the game around. The Royal team went on to win 4:1.
Due to the packed match schedule, Real coach Ancelotti made four changes after the 3:1 win against Stuttgart: Militao, Fran Garcia, Modric and Arda Güler started for Rüdiger, Mendy, Vazquez and Vinicius Junior.
The roles were clearly defined, Real Madrid were the big favorites going into the game. The Whites were better in the first half and had a lot of the ball, but the Blancos lacked precision in front of goal.
Mbappé had the two best chances, once beating Garcia from a tight angle (11′) and the other time not placing the ball well from 16 meters (21′). Espanyol had very little to offer going forward, but defended with full commitment and thus earned a 0-0 half-time result.
Real respond to Courtois own goal
After the break, the underdog then became more courageous, Romero’s long-range shot whistled just wide to the right (48′). The visitors realized that they had a chance and suddenly took the lead: Jofre ran for a long ball and crossed from the byline, and Courtois turned the ball into his own goal with his left heel (54′). The reaction of the Whites was first-class, because just four minutes later Carvajal equalized. Prior to that, visiting goalkeeper Garcia had let a Bellingham cross slip through his fingers.
Vinicius Junior with assist and goal
The Whites naturally wanted more now, losing a point against Espanyol was obviously not part of the plan. And Real turned the game around, thanks in no small part to substitute Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian first played a dream cross with his outside of his foot to Rodrygo, who scored to make it 2-1 (75). Three minutes later, Vinicius Junior was sent clear by Mbappé and made no mistake from the right of the box to make it 3-1 (78).
That of course settled the game, with Mbappé making it 4-1 from the penalty spot after Endrick was brought down (90). Real Madrid did their homework and secured their fourth consecutive competitive win. The Whites will be in action again in the LaLiga on Tuesday (9 p.m. CET) when they host Deportivo Alaves.
