Sports
Madrid cut gap on Barca with victory over Espanyol
Barca visit Athletic Bilbao today ahead of El Clasico at Camp Nou next weekend
March 12, 2023 | 12:12 AM
Vinicius Junior scored a fine solo goal as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Espanyol 3-1 and cut Barcelona’s lead to six points at the top of La Liga on Saturday. Joselu had sent the visitors ahead early on at the Santiago Bernabeu but Vinicius produced a surging run and lethal finish to pull the champions level.Eder Militao’s header completed the turnaround and Madrid could have added more goals in the second half, with Rodrygo hitting the crossbar from a free-kick. Eventually Marco Asensio tucked away the third in stoppage time after a fine run and pass from defender Nacho Fernandez. Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao today to try and restore their advantage, ahead of El Clasico at Camp Nou next weekend. Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday and Barcelona next Sunday.After failing to score from open play in their last three matches across all competitions, Madrid’s three well-taken goals were a confidence boost. With Karim Benzema out with an ankle issue, although poised to return for the Champions League last 16 second leg clash with Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti selected Rodrygo up front in his place.The coach also opted to play Eduardo Camavinga out of position at left-back again and the French midfielder’s mistake helped the visitors move ahead after eight minutes. Camavinga misjudged a long ball which he allowed to reach Ruben Sanchez, who crossed for striker Joselu to smash into the top corner. It was the forward’s 12th goal of the season – only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski has scored more in La Liga, with 15.Stirred by Espanyol’s goal, Madrid quickly improved in the early afternoon spring sun, and Vinicius fired them level with a superb solo effort of his own. The Brazilian winger cut inside from the left and drove home to net his 19th goal of the season across all competitions.Militao headed the champions in front before the break, meeting a sumptuous Aurelien Tchouameni cross, which the midfielder served up with the outside of his bootRodrygo came closest to extending Madrid’s lead when he curled a free-kick over the wall but it struck the crossbar. Vinicius was warmly applauded by Madrid fans as he was taken off late on, with Ancelotti giving another brief cameo to young forward Alvaro Rodriguez.However it was another substitute, Asensio, who wrapped up the win with a cool finish after Nacho’s uncharacteristic dribble forward into attack. Defeat leaves Espanyol provisionally 14th, two points above the relegation zone.ResultsReal Madrid 3 (Vinicius 22, Militao 39, Asensio 90+3) Espanyol 1 (Joselu 8); Elche 1 (Morente 90+6) Real Valladolid 1 (Larin 4)Today (all times GMT): Real Mallorca v Real Sociedad (1300), Sevilla v Almeria (1515), Villarreal v Real Betis (1730), Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (2000)Tomorrow: Girona v Atletico Madrid (2000)Played Friday: Cadiz 2 (Sobrino 39, Alcaraz 82-pen) Getafe 2 (Unal 61-pen, 90+16-pen)
March 12, 2023 | 12:12 AM