Karim Benzema netted a dramatic late brace as Actual Madrid maintained their good begin to the season by beating Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday evening.
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.
Probabilities had been at a minimal till the guests opened the scoring within the twelfth minute. Tchouameni – on the base of Actual’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 degree 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 almost 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 glorious driving midfield play from substitute Eduardo Camavinga.
The guests weren’t to be denied the victory as Rodrygo lower inside and clipped a exact cross in direction of the again publish for the lurking Benzema to prod in on the volley and take Actual again to the highest of the La Liga desk.
The drama did not finish there, nonetheless, as residence goalkeeper Lecomte whacked Dani Ceballos on the sting of the field to earn a crimson card, ultimately 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 – Often known as into motion and saved his facet from falling behind. Simply could not deny Joselu on the second time of asking.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 6/10 – Labored extraordinarily laborious down the fitting and created one respectable alternative.
CB: Eder Militao – 5/10 – Considerably 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 – Excellent with the ball, hardly ever giving it away. Efficient in defence.
LB: David Alaba – 7/10 – Obtained ahead very often 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 – Obtained the beginning after Casemiro’s departure and did not disappoint, recovering the ball nicely 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 – Did not shirk his workload however struggled for moments of fluency in assault.
ST: Karim Benzema – 7/10 – Saved his finest till the top, connecting with Vinicius’ cross earlier than including a free kick to his tally for the evening.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 8/10 – Confirmed the chilly edge he has added to his sport with the opener of the evening. Had a few different efforts saved and blocked however regarded threatening all evening.
SUB: Eduardo Camavinga (58′ for Modric) – 7/10 – Helped Actual 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 – Obtained his leg booted by Lecomte because the goalkeeper was despatched off and the next free kick scored by Benzema.
SUB: Dani Carvajal (85′ for Vazquez) – 6/10 – On for the ultimate few levels, which included a giant chunk of added time.
Supervisor: Carlo Ancelotti – 7/10 – Ancelotti bought the timing of his first substitutions spot on because the added legs helped Actual over the road. A great evening’s work.
