Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Espanyol in the 2024 La Liga season had everything—drama, surprise, and a stunning cameo by the Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. In a game that started on a dull note, Real Madrid once again relied on their incredible bench depth, turning a potential upset into a comfortable win. However, it wasn’t without some hiccups, including a comical error from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, which gifted Espanyol the lead.
First Half: A Sluggish Madrid
Real Madrid started the game sluggishly, seemingly relying too much on Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to provide the magic. With Vinicius Jr resting, Madrid struggled to create chances in the first half, allowing Espanyol to grow in confidence. It was one of those matches where Los Blancos were missing the sharpness that usually defines them. Espanyol, sensing Madrid’s vulnerability, began to press more aggressively.
Espanyol’s best opportunity of the first half came through their quick transitions, but they couldn’t make it count. Madrid’s attacks, meanwhile, were disjointed and static, with even a player of Mbappe’s caliber finding it hard to create much from limited service.
Espanyol Strikes First: Courtois’ Howler
Just 10 minutes into the second half, Espanyol capitalized on a defensive blunder. A long, hopeful punt down the pitch from the Espanyol goalkeeper was chased down by Jofre Carreras, whose speculative cross into the box led to a tangled mess. Thibaut Courtois, usually so reliable, had an uncharacteristic howler as the ball awkwardly slipped past him, gifting Espanyol the lead. It was a moment of disbelief for Madrid fans, who watched as Courtois’ error gave Espanyol a 1-0 advantage.
Vinicius Jr: The Game-Changer
Madrid’s response was almost immediate, and the man responsible was none other than Vinicius Jr. Substituted on in the 60th minute, the Brazilian Ballon d’Or hopeful didn’t waste time making an impact. His energy and creativity were exactly what Madrid needed to shake off their lethargy. Within minutes of his introduction, he was instrumental in Madrid’s equalizer.
Dani Carvajal pounced on a loose ball in the box, smashing it home to bring Madrid level. The build-up play? All Vinicius. His quick thinking and precision passing helped unlock the Espanyol defense.
Trivela Magic and Rodrygo’s Strike
Four minutes later, Vinicius was at it again. His sublime trivela pass—reminiscent of some of the finest playmakers—found Rodrygo perfectly in the box. Rodrygo, with all the time in the world, slotted it past the Espanyol goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for Real Madrid. The combination of Brazilian flair was a sight to behold, as the two young stars once again proved they are the future of Los Blancos.
Vinicius Seals the Game
Not content with just assists, Vinicius took matters into his own hands for Madrid’s third goal. Cutting through the middle of Espanyol’s defense, he curled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. His pace, dribbling, and composure were on full display, demonstrating why he is considered one of the world’s top talents.
Mbappe Adds the Final Touch
As the clock ticked down, Kylian Mbappe won a penalty and confidently stepped up to take it. With ice in his veins, he slotted the ball into the net, giving Madrid a 4-1 lead. It wasn’t his most dominant performance, but Mbappe’s ability to contribute when it matters most ensured Madrid’s victory was secure.
Player Ratings: Real Madrid vs Espanyol
- Thibaut Courtois – 5/10
Courtois had a nightmare moment that led to Espanyol’s opener, a rare blip for the usually world-class goalkeeper. Recovered somewhat but will want to forget this game. - Dani Carvajal – 7/10
Solid performance both defensively and offensively. His equalizer was well-taken and crucial for the comeback. - Jude Bellingham – 6/10
Showed flashes of brilliance, but the game often passed him by. A quieter performance from the young star. - Kylian Mbappe – 7/10
Not at his most electric, but still contributed with key moments, including a well-taken penalty. - Vinicius Jr – 9/10 (MOTM)
The game-changer. His introduction completely flipped the script. Assisted one, scored another, and was a constant threat. - Rodrygo – 8/10
Benefited from Vinicius’ brilliance. His movement off the ball was exceptional, and his goal was a striker’s finish. - Luka Modric – 6/10
Struggled to influence the game in the first half but improved as the match wore on.
FAQs
Real Madrid came back from a 1-0 deficit to win 4-1, thanks to the brilliance of Vinicius Jr, who scored and assisted after coming off the bench.
Courtois had a rare mistake, allowing Espanyol to take the lead after a mishandled cross resulted in an own goal.
Vinicius Jr was the standout player, delivering a game-changing performance off the bench with a goal and an assist.
Kylian Mbappe won and converted a penalty in the final minutes of the game to seal Real Madrid’s victory.
Espanyol’s goal came after a defensive error from Thibaut Courtois, who misjudged a cross that led to an own goal.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Espanyol wasn’t the smoothest performance, but once again, their ability to dig deep and rely on their stars proved pivotal. Vinicius Jr was the catalyst for the comeback, showing why he’s regarded as one of the best players in the world. While Thibaut Courtois’s error will be a talking point, Madrid can take solace in their depth, with players like Vinicius able to step up when needed.
The win keeps Real Madrid in the hunt for the La Liga title, and if Vinicius continues to perform like this, Los Blancos will be tough to beat.
