Real Madrid got their third win of the season after beating Espanyol, but it was not without a fright. After a strong start by the away side which saw Vinicius give Madrid the lead, Espanyol picked up just before the interval and levelled through Joselu. The second period saw both teams look for the win in what was a thrilling spectacle and Benzema's first goal proved to be crucial. The hosts finished with 10 men after goalkeeper Lecomte saw red in added time and Benzema put the icing on the cake with a free-kick to seal the win.
Real Madrid had more possession and territory from the off, but they had not called Espanyol goalkeeper into action. The first time Carlo Ancelotti's men shot at goal, they took the lead. Tchouameni played a lovely one-two with Valverde before threading a superb pass to Vinicius who hit across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
It was the perfect start for Madrid after just 12 minutes and they had opportunities to extend that advantage. Vinicius saw a strike tipped over the bar by Lecomte while the Brazilian also hit wide of the goal after being picked out by Lucas Vazquez at the far post on another occasion.
The hosts picked up in the final 10 minutes of the half and Vinicius Souza tested Courtois from distance while Leandro Cabrera's header from a corner went inches wide of the far post. They did get an equaliser after 43 minutes and was not without some good fortune as Oscar Gil's pass found Joselu, his shot was saved by Courtois straight onto Militao's back and the ball fell kindly to Joselu who made no mistake on the rebound. The goal lifted the home crowd and they went in level at the interval.
August 28, 2022
The second half was much more even and open and both teams had opportunities to hit the front. Joselu nearly scored for Espanyol just before the hour mark from close range, but Courtois made a fine save from close range while Benzema was denied by Lecomte at the other end after a rapid counter.
Benzema had the ball in the back of the net midway through the second period after turning in Kroos' cross-cum-shot, but the assistant referee detected that the Frenchman had just strayed offside. Vinicius had a late penalty shout turned down by the officials after contact by Oscar Gil, but there was time for the champions to win. In the 88th minute, Rodrygo played a terrific pass to Benzema at the back stick and he volleyed in to make it 1-2. It was cruel on Espanyol, but Madrid's extra quality was the difference.
In stoppage time, Madrid had the ball in the back of the net again after Courtois' long punt caused a mix up between Lecomte and the defender and Ceballos passed to an offside Rodrygo to score. Despite the goal being disallowed, Ceballos was kicked in the leg by the goalkeeper and Lecomte was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
With no subs remaining for Diego Martinez's men, Leandro Cabrera was forced to play the final few minutes in goal and Benzema struck the resulting free-kick into Cabrera's left hand corner to complete the victory. Espanyol's positive attitude meant it was a brilliant spectacle in the second 45 which could have gone either way, but they came up just short.
The result leaves the hosts with one point from three matches while Real Madrid and Real Betis are the only teams to have nine points from three games.