Super substitute Vinicius Junior came off the bench to inspire Real Madrid to a thrilling 4-1 comeback victory over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday. The defending champions showcased resilience and flair as they overturned a second-half deficit to secure all three points in the Spanish La Liga encounter.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Real Madrid found themselves trailing in the 54th minute due to an unfortunate own goal by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. A low cross from Espanyol’s Jofre Carreras deflected off the Belgian’s foot and into the net, leaving the home crowd stunned.
The setback galvanized Los Blancos, and their response was swift. Just four minutes later, Jude Bellingham, returning after a four-week absence due to a muscle injury, unleashed a shot that slipped under Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Dani Carvajal was quick to react, smashing the loose ball into the net to level the score.
With momentum on their side, manager Carlo Ancelotti introduced Vinicius Junior, who made an immediate impact. In the 75th minute, the Brazilian winger showcased his creativity by delivering a brilliant cross with the outside of his foot to fellow countryman Rodrygo, who converted with a deft first-touch finish.
Just three minutes later, Vinicius turned scorer, capping off a swift counterattack with a composed finish to extend Real Madrid’s lead. His dynamism and flair proved too much for the Espanyol defense to handle.
The hosts sealed the victory in the dying moments of the match. Substitute Endrick was brought down in the penalty area by Carlos Romero, and Kylian Mbappé, who had joined the action, confidently converted the ensuing penalty kick. The goal marked Mbappé’s contribution to an emphatic win.
The 4-1 triumph keeps Real Madrid in second place on the league table with 14 points, just one point behind archrivals Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
“I think we played well. We started very well and reacted well after they scored the first goal,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “It was a complete match on our part. We played much better, had more rhythm with the ball, and created a lot of scoring opportunities, so I’m happy with this game.”
Reference(s):
Vinicius fires Real Madrid to 4-1 win over Espanyol in Spanish La Liga
cgtn.com
