Real Madrid beaten at Cornellà

Real Madrid dug in and fought until the end but were unable to turn around Espanyol's 2-0 lead. Benzema reduced the deficit after 71 minutes and had the chance to level the match up nine minutes later with a header just off target. It was the Madridistas who had the first chance of the match after Vinicius Jr. won the ball back inside the area and played in Benzema with a beautiful backheel and the Frenchman's first-time shot ended up in the hands of Diego López with just four minutes on the clock.

The home side hit back in the 9th minute with a long-range effort by Embarba but Courtois was equal to it. Espanyol went ahead as RDT got on the end of an Embarba cross after 15 minutes. Ancelotti's side had two good chances to equalize before the interval through Benzema's volley on the rebound after 21 minutes which was kept out by Diego López and Militão's great strike before with 42 minutes played Alaba was just off target from a free kick.

Ancelotti brought on Rodrygo in place of Camavinga at the break, and following the restart, Madrid had a fine chance to level on 50 minutes when Kroos whipped in a corner and Militão’s header clipped the outside of the post. Five minutes later, Espanyol extended their lead thanks to a superb piece of individual play by Aleix Vidal. They could have gone on to make it three with 64 minutes played, when a swift counter put Darder through against Courtois but he failed to hit the target. From that point on, Real Madrid pushed hard and did manage to cut the deficit seven minutes later. Jović brought the ball down on his chest and laid it to Benzema, who beat three players and tucked the ball sweetly into the corner leaving Diego López with no chance. The LaLiga’s leading marksman nearly bagged his brace on 80’, when his back-post header from a Lucas Vázquez cross flew inches wide of the upright. Ancelotti’s men gave it all they had until the end but ultimately came up short at the Cornellà.