Real Madrid have moved back ahead of Barcelona to go top of La Liga after beating Espanyol on Saturday night. The Spanish giants bounced back from their 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao last week to win 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to Marco Asensio's first-half strike.
Match Events
41' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol (Marco Asensio)
GOAL! Madrid have taken the lead! A deflected shot from Modric bounces over to Asensio, who has no problems finding the bottom right-hand corner of the net with a powerful strike. The referee has to check with VAR but the goal is eventually confirmed after a minute-long wait.
Match Report
Real Madrid got back to winning ways in LaLiga and moved top of the table with a tight 1-0 home win against Espanyol secured thanks to Marco Asensio's first-half goal.
Madrid dropped their first points under Julen Lopetegui last time out at Athletic Bilbao but despite resting Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Toni Kroos they collected a vital victory on Saturday.
Former Espanyol star Asensio struck from Luka Modric's pass shortly before half-time, the goal surviving a review for offside, and Lopetegui opted to rest Karim Benzema for the final 30 minutes.
Mariano Diaz was sent on to make his second league debut for the club, the striker having rejoined from Lyon, but Espanyol almost levelled when a cute Borja Iglesias chip rebounded off the crossbar.
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Sergio Ramos, L. Modrić, Benzema, T. Courtois, Casemiro, Isco, Nacho, R. Varane, Álvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio, Ceballos
Subs: Bale, Marcelo, K. Navas, Lucas Vázquez, M.Díaz, M.Llorente, Valverde
Espanyol XI: Diego López, Granero, H.Pérez, Piatti, Dídac , J.López, Naldo, S.Darder, Borja Iglesias, Hermoso, M.Roca
Subs: Roberto Jiménez, S.García, Rosales, V.Sánchez, Ó. Duarte, Baptistao, Melendo
IndikaAsiriSR4
127
Respect!👏👏👏👏 Our Prince Marco Asensio⚪⚪⚪⚪
combination
115
All the comments are about Asensio so I’ll say it, that was a fantastic reaction by Olsen
alota-ae
110
lopetegue haters right now...
elninoh de suspect
93
Asensio has really helped Real.....a win is all what we wanted.....I know everyone is scared of us
Fuyaert
72
Despite Real Madrid win, it was a poor displayed by RM. Asensio had a goal but at times he was jealous and did not want to pass the ball to Mariano. At one time had he passed the ball, there was a good chance for Mariano but he carry and then give away the ball freely.
jackknife
70
odriozola is amazing this guy has got amazing pace and control & I think benzema should be benched for a while mariano diaz should start more in the XI . asensio , isco , vasquez are the key players for our team .
Eddiejones85
64
from today's game, I have come to the conclusion that most times, players are not the problem. Look what lupetegui has brought out of the players zidane could do nothing without. Zidane only wanted to die with Ronaldo and the other youngstars were dying on the bench. Lupe really is a good coach. The team only needs to really be confident with this style.
Sterzil
61
A wonderful display from the wonder boy he was elegant vibrant and played quite an entertaining game...He was d real reason Madrid won tonight the team did well not well enough still a win is a win espanyol were good they were dangerous and weren't slowing down they deserve some credit too!keep.it up and hope you score more goals ascenico
Abdrhmn24
56
A good goal by the princess ASENSIO
shray_srivastava
54
Can't really get it, was a very shaky win, the coach needs to have a word with Ramos, after the departure of Ronaldo, he's getting upfront a lot, in return making the side vulnerable to counter attacks, out of the 90 mins, he played 50-60 in the other opponents half, he's taking goal scoring way to seriously being a defender, if it was any other quality side, Real would have lost.
Trevorn
53
Espanyol really brought the challenge to RM today. They were well organized in defense and made great use with the ball in attack therefore I must praise them. Its unlucky that they didn't get any points today because they really worked hard for it. They made us look like crap especially in those last 25-30 minutes of the game. In the end I'm still grateful that RM won. Hala Madrid
Netson3Mwandu
52
The Coach has alot do interms of selection of players. He should try to used vinicius Jr next time not those weak players without skill. Leaving Marcelo and Bale on the bench is wrong even subsituting Benzama is also wrong.The coach should be careful Real Madrid is a big team we want good football.
dossier
51
I genuinely think that Ramos should be converted to a striker once he starts losing his pace a bit.
preciousgeoffrey59
51
First of all congrats to Madrid first half they were absolutely in control But the second half performance from espayol made the game to be more of a well forth victory And Madrid coach should work harder on his team finishing because this Madrid had made more goal attempt more than any other club in the top 5 leagues in the world this season but yet has the lowest conversion
RafisalamMadridista
41
good game good coach remember we played without our key players like bale kroos marcelo carvajal squad rotation works fine.
herbivorous
20
I think Ramos has invented this season the fake full back