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Real Madrid vs Espanyol: La Liga – BBC Sport


Real Madrid vs Espanyol: La Liga – BBC Sport

Kylian Mbappe scored his fourth goal in three La Liga games as Real Madrid came from behind to secure a comfortable victory over Espanyol.

Despite their dominance, the unbeaten hosts fell behind nine minutes into the second half when Thibaut Courtois tipped Jofre Carreras’ cross into his own net.

But Espanyol’s surprise lead lasted only four minutes as Jude Bellingham’s pass was passed under goalkeeper Joan Garcia and Dani Carvajal was able to shoot into the empty net.

The turnaround was complete 15 minutes from time when Rodrygo converted a cross from Vinicius Junior, before substitute Vinicius scored his third goal three minutes later and Kylian Mbappe converted a last-minute penalty.

The hosts fired 14 shots on goal in a frustrating first half, with Mbappe coming closest but being stopped by Garcia from close range.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team finished the game with a total of 31 shots on goal, compared to Espanyol’s one (which came in the 68th minute), and Real never panicked after falling behind in the second half.

Mbappe, who has now scored six goals in his first eight appearances for the club since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, assisted Vinicius with a perfectly weighted through ball before converting his penalty, which was given after Endrick was fouled by Carlos Romero.

The victory moved Real to second place in La Liga after four wins in their opening six games – one point behind leaders Barcelona, ​​who travel to Villarreal on Sunday with a perfect record.

Ancelotti’s team have also achieved the second longest unbeaten streak in La Liga, behind only Barcelona, ​​who went 43 league games unbeaten between 2017 and 2018.

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