Catch the highlights from the Real Madrid vs Espanyol La Liga 2024-25 match played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

LINEUPS :

Real Madrid: Courtois (gk), Carvajal, Militao, Tchouameni, Garcia, Valverde, Modric (c), Bellingham, Guler, Rodrygo, Mbappe

Espanyol: Garcia (gk), El Hilali, Kambulla, Cabrera, Romero, Tejero, Kral, Lozano, Carreras, Cheddira, Puado (c)

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side fell behind on Saturday evening when Thibaut Courtois was unfortunate to turn a cross into his own net. Dani Carvajal came to Real Madrid’s rescue with a leveller, which set the Blancos on the way to three points. Vinicius Junior created one goal for Rodrygo and grabbed another of his own after climbing off the bench. Kylian Mbappe netted a late penalty.

Real Madrid vs Espanyol KEY MOMENTS …..

• Wow! Against the run of play, Espanyol have somehow taken the lead! Jofre Carreras strikes the ball against Courtois’s legs and into the back of the net. The goal is given as a Courtois own goal
• Real Madrid are back in the match. Dani Carvajal smashes the ball into an empty net, after the goalkeeper spilt Bellingham’s low strike.
• Real Madrid finally take the lead and it’s Rodrygo who gets the goal! The two Brazilian stars combine, as Vinicius Jr crosses the ball for Rodrygo to score into an empty net.
• Vinicius Jr finishes the comeback for Los Blancos, latching on to a through ball, before slotting past the goalkeeper. The Brazilian celebrates with Mbappe’s signature celebration.
• Kylian Mbappe has his goal! The France star makes no mistake from the spot and completes an incredible Real Madrid comeback.
• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card.

Real Madrid Player Rating ……

Thibaut Courtois—6: Own goal will be a blemish on a night where the Belgian had very little to do.

Dani Carvajal—6: Appeared leg heavy and passing was not as crisp and precise as expected in the first half. Managed to score the equalizer from the literal goal-line of the opposition goal and then was subbed off as precaution to an injury.

Tchouameni—7: Extremely comfortable in the center back role. Carries the ball forward when space allows and picks the right passes. Maybe could have done better on the goal conceded, helping Arda and doubling down.

Eder Militao—8: His speed and athleticism on hand to consistently deny and frustrate the Espanyol front lines

Fran Garcia—6: One rocket shot from 25-yards-out to test Joan Garcia. Remains safe and conservative with his passing and dribbling.

Luka Modric—7.5: After halftime had 5 key passes and 6/6 long balls. Espanyol struggled to put together 2 passes meaning Modric and co had plenty of the ball. Played the full 90 minutes in midfield.

Fede Valverde—8.5: Continues to be Madrid’s best player match after match. Outstanding in midfield — recovering possession, denying counter attacks, springing vertical passes forward. He does everything Ancelotti asks of him, including playing a deeper more disciplined role.

Jude Bellingham—8.5: Only his second game from injury but looks incredibly fit, constantly pushing himself to press the opposition or make an attacking run. Had three powerful shots from outside the box that nearly found the back of the net. It was Jude’s left footed shot that the goalkeeper parried and allowed Carvajal to smash in from the one yard line.

Rodrygo—8: Started on the left wing but ended the game on the right where he scored his goal after a well-timed run.

Arda Guler—7: Sensational opening 25 minutes where the Turk created one big chance for Mbappe and had 4 key passes. Faded as the first half wore on and tired in the second half. Replaced immediately after the goal.

Kylian Mbappe—8: Missed two big chances in the first half, opportunities that a player of Mbappe’s stature would be expected to convert. Chances that he has converted in the past. Despite 6 total shots on target, 7 key passes, an assist, and a penalty converted — still leaves fans with a sensation that far more is to come.

Substitutions:

Vinicius Junior—9: Immediately entered the match after Madrid went a goal down and changed the match. Produced the game winning assist with a brilliant Luka Modric-esque outside of the boot pass to Rodrygo. Then finished off the match with a goal of his own after being played through by Mbappe.

Lucas Vazquez—7: Played 30 minutes at right back finishing the game with 22/22 accurate passes and 2 key passes.

Endrick—8: Brilliant individual play down the right wing and into the box to draw the penalty for the fourth and final goal of the game.

Rudiger—6: Late substitution at center back to see out the game.

LALIGA POINT TABLE :-

Top Goal Scorrer ……