Vinicius climbs off bench to inspire Madrid to comeback win over Espanyol

Real Madrid completed a stunning second half comeback to continue their unbeaten start to the La Liga season and move within a point of leaders Barcelona.

Espanyol stunned the current champions when they took the lead early in the second half through a Thibaut Courtois own goal. However, Dani Carvajal equalised just minutes later, before Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo put Los Blancos out of sight. Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot in injury time to complete the scintillating comeback.

The home crowd were silenced when Thibaut Courtois scored an own goal just minutes into the second half, after Jofre Carreras pulled the ball back across goal and it hit the ‘keeper’s left leg and went into the net.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side did not wait long to respond, with Carvajal firing into an empty net just three minutes later, following some great work from Jude Bellingham.

Los Blancos blew Espanyol away after that, with Vinicius crossing the ball for Rodrygo to fire home and put Real Madrid ahead.

Vinicius then scored, converting brilliantly past Joan Garcia from a scintillating breakaway.

Endrick was then brought down just inside the box in injury time and Mbappe made no mistake from the spot, scoring his second goal in as many games.

The result sees Real Madrid move up to second in the Liga table, before Atletico Madrid play on Sunday. Espanyol sit in 13th place in the table.

Real Madrid will face Alaves at home in midweek, before they travel to rivals Atletico Madrid next weekend. Espanyol host Villarreal on Thursday.

Talking Point – Vinicius impact

The match completely turned when Vinicius was brought off the bench to replace Arda Guler, when the game was in the balance at 1-1.

Ancelotti rested the influential Brazilian, which seemed to only stoke the winger’s fire.

Vinicius was electric when he came on, producing a brilliant cross for Rodrygo to put Real Madrid ahead, before he showed his finishing off with a cool effort past Joan Garcia.

Los Blancos lacked that extra bit of pace and firepower during the first half despite having stars on the pitch and Vinicius provided that as soon as he entered proceedings.

The winger has been criticised for his international performances recently, but there was no doubting the Brazil star against Espanyol.

Player of the match – Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).

The Brazilian now has three goals and four assists in six La Liga matches this season and has continued to be Los Blancos’ star despite Mbappe’s arrival.

Despite only playing the second half, Vinicius decided the match and was unplayable.

Player ratings

REAL MADRID: Courtois 3, Carvajal 8, Militao 6, Tchouameni 7, Gracia 7, Valverde 6, Modric 7, Bellingham 8, Rodrygo 9, Arda Guler 5, Mbappe 7. Subs: Vinicius Jr 10*, Endrick 7, Rudiger n/a, Vazquez n/a

ESPANYOL: Joan Garcia 5, Kumbulla 6, Cabrera 5, Puado 6, Pol Lozano 5, Tejero 4, Cheddira 5, Jofre 7, Kral 5, Romero 5, El Hilali 4. Subs: Veliz 4, Milla 4., Gragera 5, Aguado n/a, Cardona n/a.

Match Highlights

54’ GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 ESPANYOL: (Thibaut Courtois OG).

Wow! Against the run of play, Espanyol have somehow taken the lead! Jofre Carreras strikes the ball against Courtois’s legs and into the back of the net. The goal is given as a Courtois own goal.

58’ GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 ESPANYOL: (Dani Carvajal).

Real Madrid are back in the match. Dani Carvajal smashes the ball into an empty net, after the goalkeeper spilt Bellingham’s low strike.

75’ GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-1 ESPANYOL: (Rodrygo).

Real Madrid finally take the lead and it’s Rodrygo who gets the goal! The two Brazilian stars combine, as Vinicius Jr crosses the ball for Rodrygo to score into an empty net.

78’ GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-1 ESPANYOL: (Vinicius Jr).

Vinicius Jr finishes the comeback for Los Blancos, latching on to a through ball, before slotting past the goalkeeper. The Brazilian celebrates with Mbappe’s signature celebration.

88’ REAL MADRID PENALTY! Endrick is brought down just inside the box. Kylian Mbappe steps up…

90’ GOAL! REAL MADRID 4-1 ESPANYOL (Kylian Mbappe) Kylian Mbappe has his goal! The France star makes no mistake from the spot and completes an incredible Real Madrid comeback.

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