Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid: Karim Benzema maintained Los Blancos’ perfect start to the season

Real Madrid found some of last season’s Champions League spirit to see off Espanyol and make it three away wins from three.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side took a 12 minute lead through Vinicius but were pegged back when Joselu equalized.

If Espanyol had managed to hang on for a draw no one would have begrudged them their point but Madrid grow in those moments when tired opponents begin to shrink and with strikes on 88 and 100 minutes Karim Benzema ensured they went away with all three points.

He now has three goals in three games – another indication that Madrid are just carrying on from where they left off last season.

Madrid lost this fixture last October 2-1 and were determined not to suffer the same fate again. They tore out of the blocks and after a fine passing move involving Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni Vinicius was played in and he did not miss scoring his second goal of the season.

Joselu responded for the home side to put them level. He had a little good fortune along the way because when his shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois the ball hit Eder Militao and bounced back out to him. He now has seven goals in his last nine games against Real Madrid.

The former Newcastle and Alaves striker, who came through Real Madrid’s youth system and debuted for their senior side, then almost put Espanyol ahead at the restart but Courtois made himself big to push the shot over the top.

They game now ebbed and flowed with both teams making enough tired mistakes to make the opposition believe the three points were there for the taking.

Ancelotti brought on Rodrygo and the man who played a big part in so many of those Champions League comebacks last season sent the perfect cross for Benzema to put Real Madrid 1-0 up.

Then late into injury time Rodrygo looked to have got the third but it was ruled off for offside. Espanyol keeper Benjamin Lecomte had kicked Dani Ceballos in the build-up however and so after consulting with the video-assisted referee match official Mario Melero Lopez sent the keeper off.

Having made all their substitutions defender Leandro Cabrera took the gloves and his first task was to keep out a Benzema free-kick from the foul on Ceballos.

Benzema’s kick sailed past him and Madrid had wrapped up all three points with another epic late show of strength.