Player Ratings: Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid – 2022/23

A late brace from Karim Benzema helps Real Madrid maintain their perfect start to the season by beating Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side took the lead through Vinicius. Tchouaméni linked with Lucas Vazquez before picking out Vinicius with a wonderful pass to finish into the far corner.

Joselu levelled the scores before half-time. The Spaniard saw his shot saved by Thibaut Courtois only for the ball to hit Eder Militao and bounce back out to him. That’s 7 goals in the last 9 games against Real Madrid for the former Los Blancos academy product.

Karim Benzema gave his team the lead in the 88th minute. Rodrygo sent a perfect cross for Benzema who volleyed into the back of the net.

Espanyol keeper Benjamin Lecomte got sent off in added time after kicking Dani Ceballos just outside the box. Benzema stepped up to take the freekick and managed to find the bottom keeper to wrap up all three points.

Player ratings:

Starting XI:

Thibaut Courtois: 8/10

Unlucky to concede the goal after saving the first shot only for the rebound to deflect off Militao and into the path of the goalscorer, Joselu. Made a number of brilliant saves to keep his team in the game.

Lucas Vazquez: 6/10

A pretty average performance from the Galician. Vazquez didn’t provide anything in attack and wasn’t solid when defending either.

Eder Militao: 6.5/10

Unlucky to see the ball deflect off him and into the path of Joselu for Espanyol’s goal.

Antonio Rudiger: 7/10

Solid performance from the German who did all the basics well.

David Alaba: 7/10

Fede Valverde: 6.5/10

Karim Benzema: 8/10

Vinicius Jr: 8.5/10

Substitutions:

Eduardo Camavinga: 7.5/10 – Came on to replace Modric. The Frenchman showed moments of real quality on the ball and Real Madrid looked a much better team since his introduction.

Rodrygo Goes: 7/10 – Came on to replace Valverde. The Brazilian scored only for it to be disallowed for offside before assisting Benzema’s winner with a brilliant cross.

Dani Ceballos: 7/10 – Came on to replace Toni Kroos late on. The Spaniard got his leg booted by Espanyol’s goalkeeper, Lecomte, who was then sent off. Karim Benzema ended up scoring from the resulting freekick.

Dani Carvajal: N/A – Came on to replace Vazquez late on.