Real Madrid took all three points at the Santiago Bernabéu with a win over Espanyol on LaLiga matchday 25. Joselu put the visitors ahead with eight minutes gone, but Vini Jr. and Militão scored two sublime strikes to send our team into the break with the lead. Asensio then rounded off the result in injury time.
With less than ten minutes gone, it was set to be an uphill battle. Espanyol went ahead through Joselu early on, as the forward turned home a Rubén Sánchez cross. The madridista response came just six minutes later but Pacheco kept out Camavinga's effort in the box following fine link-up with Vini Jr. The Catalans had another good chance to add to their advantage soon after but Courtois did superbly to claw Vinicius Souza's header off the line.
Vini Jr. and Militão net worldies
Real Madrid then levelled through Vini Jr. with 22 minutes on the clock. The winger picked up the ball on the left-hand side and weaved into the box, finding a gap between three defenders to beat Pacheco with a stunning strike. Our team pushed on and penned Espanyol back in search of the goal that would give them the lead. With 39 minutes gone, Militão rose brilliantly to head home a gorgeous Tchouameni cross with the outside of his right boot. The lead could have been greater at the break, but S. Gómez did well to get back to close out Rodrygo's chance at the final moment.
Video.3-1: Win over Espanyol
The pace slowed after the break and neither team created any clear chances until the 70th minute, with Kroos trying a long-range right-footed effort. Shortly after came the clearest chance of the second half up to that point, But Rodrygo's powerful free-kick from the edge of the area crashed back off the crossbar.
Asensio seals the win
Despite fatigue taking its toll on both teams, Madrid found a gap in the opposition defence to make it 3-1. Nacho broke away from his own half with power and flair, beat three players and laid it off to Asensio, who fired clinically past Pacheco. Ancelotti's side continue to add to their LaLiga tally and are already looking ahead to the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Liverpool (Wednesday 9:00 pm CET).
