Vinicius calms the storm at the Bernabéu as Real Madrid claim victory over Espanyol

He Real Madrid added the three points against Spanish as was predictable until the parakeets team, in the 54th minute, took the lead. The team recovered from the scare. Ancelotti thanks to the objectives of Carvajal, Rodrygo and one Vinicius who revolutionized the game by coming off the bench. The final touch of the evening was the goal of Mbappeafter meeting so many times Jeanne Garciapenalty. [Narración y estadísticas: Real Madrid 4-1 Espanyol]

After the Champions and a week before the derby, Ancelotti started the rotations and sat Vinicius. He was a starter Burn Güleron the right, completing the attacking front with Mbappé and Rodrygo interspersed inside and on the left. This also started Modricwho still has gas for these matches League at home.

Finally, we could see a more mobile Madrid. Bellingham and Güler improved the team’s play, penetrating into the three-quarter area and both providing several passes worth a goal. In ten minutes, the white team had already had its first clear chances, with a shot from Mbappé and then a header from Militao for a corner. Kylian was about to score in another action in which he struck the ball, but the shot was centered.

The Bernabéu fell silent when Bellingham writhed on the turf in the 7th minute. The Englishman’s problem was his left shoulder, the same one he had injured almost a year ago and which had left him limping until the end of the season. To the great relief of the Whites, everything was frightening and they were able to continue.

On the other hand, Mbappé saw his first yellow card in La Liga and it must be said that it was very cheap. A simple disturbance cost him his card. Munuera Hunter. This awakened, one more day, the song of “corruption in the Federation” at the Bernabéu. The other discordant point was the slap that Fran Garcia in the Espanyol region, on behalf of Cabreraalmost arriving at the break, which the referee interpreted as unintentional.

From Domination to Fear

It was the best first half of the season for Madrid, but they finished it goalless. It was not for lack of opportunities. The home team received up to 14 shots (five from Mbappé) in the first 45 minutes. Espanyol, who came to the Bernabéu to withstand the pouring rain, did not even reach 25% possession before the break. However, the score remained intact and everything remained to be decided for the second half.

Joan García, the promising 23-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper, would be the one who made things difficult for Madrid. Nine saves, six in the first half, would leave their mark without the time of the match being respected. That and the goal kick that started the action that would lead to the unexpected 0-1 for the Catalan team. The ball left the boots of goalkeeper Perico and found a run Jofrewho ate the toast Carvajal. He scored fortunately, as his oblique shot went wide and was Courteousin an unfortunate action, which brought it inside.

The rush and anxiety arrived at the White Coliseum in a match that was absolutely dominated until the goal. Ancelotti shook the bench and brought on Vini, at the expense of Güler, who had been one of the best Madrid players. The Merengue team woke up, since they had to, and four minutes after the goal conceded, in the 58th minute, they scored the equalizer. Bellingham reached the end line, placed the pass that slipped under the arms of Joan García and Carvajal pushed it inside. We started again, with fear in our bodies and with only thirty minutes to spare.

A few seconds after the goal, Carvajal was replaced, injured. Lucas Vazquez got going. Valverde received the yellow card, also for protesting against Munuera Montero who left little space to the players in white. Madrid continued to shoot and Joan García continued to stop, provoking the anger of the Bernabéu with his loss of time towards the end. This cost the goalkeeper of the parakeet a yellow card. And if it was not his saves, the shots went wide.

‘Vini’, vidi, vici

Just when the Madrid fans were most impatient, even though they lived these breathtaking finals almost daily, the long-awaited goal arrived. With Espanyol beaten in their area, with a quarter of an hour plus added time ahead, it seemed inevitable. The author was Rodrygo, who finished first a cross from Vinicius. The Brazilian connection seemed to save the day.

And from Rio’s company to that of Mbappé and Vinicius, who connect better and better. In the 78th minute, three minutes after the 2-1, Kylian passes a deep ball to his teammate who beats Joan first. Madrid condemned Madrid with two whiplashes in which his “7”, who came off the bench after Espanyol’s opening goal, was the protagonist. ‘Vini’, vidi, vici.

Vinicius’ best night so far this season was going to end, yes, with a yellow card. Munuera Montero showed it to him, like Mbappé and Valverde, for protesting. “Hat-trick” from the referee JaenThe referee’s final task was to order a penalty in the Espanyol area. Endrickwho had entered the field shortly before. The Brazilian boy always leaves his mark in matches even if he plays little.

Kylian recovered the ball and finally scored to cap off another party night, but with the suspense it deserves, at the Bernabéu. pressure for Barca.