Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior celebrates after he scored his crew’s third objective towards Espanyol throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Vinicius Junior’s decisive impression helped Actual Madrid come from behind to beat a decided Espanyol facet 4-1 on Saturday and transfer some extent behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The Brazilian began on the bench however created a objective for Rodrygo Goes earlier than scoring himself to finish Madrid’s turnaround after a Thibaut Courtois personal objective gifted the guests the lead early within the second half.
Dani Carvajal levelled for Madrid quickly afterwards earlier than Vinicius took the reins, with Kylian Mbappe including a late penalty to internet in his fourth consecutive sport for the membership.
Hansi Flick’s facet, boasting an ideal file of 5 wins from 5 matches, go to unbeaten Villarreal, fourth, on Sunday, seeking to restore their four-point lead.
“It was exhausting for us to attain objectives within the first half however we made so many probabilities,” midfielder Luka Modric informed Actual Madrid TV.
“The crew performed effectively… we had an important sport and we might be joyful, however we now have to proceed (like this).”
The excellent victory was Madrid’s thirty eighth consecutive La Liga sport with out defeat, their final loss within the competitors coming slightly below a yr in the past, towards Atletico Madrid in September 2023.
“That claims so much, not shedding video games in so many weeks is very nice, however we now have to proceed,” added Modric.
“It is high quality, character, dedication from the crew, everybody is prepared when referred to as on… these are the important thing components.”
With a packed calendar, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested Vinicius on the outset, choosing Arda Guler in his place alongside Mbappe and Rodrygo.
Madrid had a stranglehold on the primary half with out with the ability to make the breakthrough, with Mbappe closely concerned, trying to find his sixth objective of the season throughout all competitions.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a high-quality save at his close to put up to thwart the France captain’s effort from a good angle.
Eder Militao headed narrowly over from the following nook and Mbappe had one other long-range effort stopped in addition to slashing a shot off-target.
More and more annoyed, Mbappe was booked for protesting towards a choice referred to as towards him.
Stress and endurance
Jude Bellingham fired in a vicious drive from the sting of the field however Garcia saved comfortably to ship the groups in goalless on the break.
Madrid have been in a position to rating only one first half objective in eight matches this season.
Carlos Romero got here shut for the promoted guests early within the second interval with a strike that flew off-target, but it surely was principally one-way site visitors within the course of Garcia’s objective.
Madrid have been subsequently surprised when the guests took the lead within the 54th minute, with Courtois clumsily deflecting Jofre Carreras’ cross into his personal internet.
Ancelotti despatched on Vinicius instantly but it surely was Carvajal who levelled 4 minutes later, tapping dwelling on the road after Bellingham’s cross squirmed away from the beforehand flawless Garcia.
Madrid turned the screw and claimed their rewards as Espanyol’s resistance crumbled, with Vinicius producing a elegant cross with the skin of his boot to tee up Rodrygo for the second.
Mbappe unselfishly slipped Vinicius by on objective to tuck dwelling for Madrid’s third and the previous Paris-Saint Germain star dispatched a late penalty himself to finish a sizeable victory.
Printed – September 23, 2024 02:05 am IST
