Vinicius Junior came off the bench to play a starring role as Real Madrid rallied from behind to thrash Espanyol 4-1 on Saturday night.
LALIGA
Result: Real Madrid 4-1 Espanyol
Date: 21 September 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Carlo Ancelotti made a host of changes after the midweek UEFA Champions League action, as Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fran Garcia all earned recalls.
Vinicius Junior, meanwhile, was only named on the bench but there were reports in Spain claim Ancelotti was looking to make changes to the side in order to get the best out of Mbappe.
Mbappe had the first real opening after 11 minutes after getting on the end of Guler's knockdown but Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia was equal to the task after making the good save at the near post.
Other than the early effort from distance, the first half proved to be quite a frustrating one for Mbappe who is clearly still trying get the right chemistry with his teammates.
The visitors enjoyed a good start to the second period, as they got the opening goal nine minutes when goalkeeper Thibuat Courtois was unable to hold a cross from Jofre Carreras and deflected the ball into his own net.
Ancelotti responded with a change immediately, as Guler made way for Vinicius who was on target in this fixture last year.
However, Madrid were back on level terms in the 58th minute as another goalkeeping error, this time from Garcia failing to hold onto Bellingham's cross, which allowed Dani Carvajal to fire into an empty net.
The turnaround was complete in the 74th minute when Vinicius turned provider to send a superb cross into the six-yard area, where Rodrygo was on hand to slot home his second league goal of the season.
Los balncos made the game safe three minutes later when Mbappe did well to play in Vinicius, who took one before rifling the ball home to seal maximum points in the Spanish capital.
There was enough time for Los Blancos to win a penalty after substitute Endrick was brought down in the box. Mbappe stepped up calmly slotted home his sixth goal of the campaign to round off a good win.
