Shower of goals at fortress Bernabeu

Report

06 February 2010

Real Madrid 3-0 EspanyolShower of goals at fortress Bernabeu

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Elisa Estrada

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Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol

Laura Navas / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Real Madrid were forced to earn a victory tonight to keep their distance with Barcelona intact and to remain undefeated at the Bernabeu in La Liga. Ramos, Kaka and Higuain scored the evening's goals, while Casillas was undefeated for yet another game.

The starting lineup was the same as in last week's match against Deportivo. Four minutes into the game, Granero took a free-kick from one of the sides and Ramos notched in a header.

Espanyol were well positioned and tried to fight back by keeping possession, but Real Madrid soon took over. Kaka forced Kameni to make a save with his fists on the 26-minute mark with a powerful shot from outside the box. One minute later saw Sergio come close to scoring from an identical play to that which resulted in the team's first strike. Raul had a header on the goal-line and Kameni managed to miraculously clear it, but the ball landed at Kaka's feet and the Brazilian netted the second goal for the Whites in a near-acrobatic way (29’).

Granero took another free-kick in the 35th minute. Albiol tried to finish it off but was off target. The midfielder tried to score from yet another set piece, but Kameni saved the day for Espanyol (41’). The goalkeeper was spectacular tonight despite his team's defeat. One minute later he saved another header from Raul (42'). Benzema sent the ball over the crossbar and the captain had another shot that grazed one of the posts before the end of the first half. Coro and Marquez also tried to surprise Casillas right before half-time.

Real Madrid were the same in the second half and Espanyol improved. Roncaglia crossed the ball into Casillas' box, but Verdu was too late to finish it off (50’). Marcelo responded with a crossed shot from outside the box (55') and Kaka hit the crossbar after Benzema passed the ball back to him (59’). It was Espanyol's turn to try to score through Osvaldo, who overtook Arbeloa and would have netted a strike if Casillas hadn't been in his way (61’). Soon after Lass came on for Guti, Arbeloa failed to score from a brilliant pass by Granero (71’).

Benzema was replaced by Higuain, who netted the third strike following a magnificent control of a long pass and dribbling past Kameni's right and then turning left before flicking the ball into the back of the net.

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