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Madrid: Real Madrid achieved the required title holder when it overturned its deficit against its guest, Espanyol, to an outright victory 3-1, led by its Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior, who temporarily reduced the difference to six points with leaders Barcelona, Saturday, in the twenty-fifth stage of the Spanish Football League.
This is the first victory for the royal team after two draws in the last two matches with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, the competitors to qualify for the European Championships, and between them a loss against Barcelona 0-1 in the first leg of the cup semi-finals, knowing that the latter is looking for its first title in the league since 2019. Bilbao Sunday, before the expected Clasico with Real next week.
The 14-time European champion played the match in the absence of his French striker Karim Benzema (35 years), the best player in the world, due to an ankle injury.
Italian Carlo Ancelotti made three changes to his squad, which tied with Betis, missing the injured Benzema and replacing him with veteran Croatian Luka Modric. Brazilians Vinicius Jr. and Rodrigo played up front alongside Uruguayan Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal returned to the right-back position instead of Lucas Vazquez, and Nacho Fernandez played instead of German Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence.
Surprisingly, Joselo opened the scoring early with a wonderful left shot into the far top corner of the Belgian spectator Thibaut Courtois, after receiving a cross from the right by Robin Sanchez, who beat Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga (8).
With an individual effort, Vinicius Jr. dribbled on the left side, before deceiving the defense with a cross sweep and a surprise ground shot into the far left corner of goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco (23). The talented player raised his score to 19 goals with Real this season in various competitions.
Real turns the score
Real turned the score with a clever cross from French midfielder Aurelien Choameni, which was reversed by a powerful cross with the help of the crossbar, Brazilian central defender Eder Militao (39). Militao scored all six of his goals for Real Madrid in the league with his head, including four this season.
And in the third minute of stoppage time, substitute Marco Asensio planted a third goal for Real Madrid, with a beautiful left kick from inside the area, after an effort from Nacho (90 + 3). Valverde almost added the fourth seconds later, but his powerful shot was pushed by the goalkeeper into a corner.
Real calmed down from the rhythm of the match and brought it to safety, before devoting itself to Wednesday’s match against Liverpool, England, in the second leg of the Champions League final, armed with a great victory over its opponent 5-2 in the first leg.
