Real Madrid have enjoyed a positive start to the season with six points from two games so far in 2022/23 for the defending Spanish and European champions.
Casemiro’s departure to Manchester United has been pushed to the side in recent days as Carlo Ancelotti looks to get on with the day job in Madrid.
Espanyol have struggled in the opening weeks of the campaign, with one point from two matches, as Diego Martinez’s side ended up on the end of a bad-tempered defeat to Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
Madrid know they cannot afford to allow Barcelona to gain any momentum in the coming weeks and they will be looking for a win on the other side of Catalonia.
The Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary from the RCDE Stadium.
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Espanyol vs. Real Madrid live score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Espanyol | 1 | 1 | — |
Real Madrid | 1 | 1 | — |
Goals:
REA – Vinicius Junior – 12 mins.
ESP – Joselu – 44 mins.
65 mins: This match has become an extremely compelling watch in this second half. The first half was entertaining, but the intensity has reached another level now. Espanyol are more than contributing to the encounter!
62 mins: BENZEMA… saved! The space opened up for Real Madrid on the break, Camavinga played the pass out to Benzema, he had to check back, but still had time to get the shot away, but Lecomte makes the stunning diving save!
59 mins: Courtois saves! A cross into the middle causes chaos in the Real Madrid box, Joselu has two stabs at the shot and his second shot forces Courtois into a reflex save! Espanyol are giving this a real go! Courtois needed to make that stop! It was struck with power.
57 mins: Real Madrid substitution – Modric and Valverde OFF, Camavinga and Rodrygo ON
56 mins: Espanyol are quite clearly attempting to target Vazquez down the left side and they are enjoying some success in that regard. Puerdo bursts down the wing, but his cross into the middle is gathered by Courtois.
54 mins: Ancelotti can’t be pleased with the lack of control his team have had since the scored the opening goal. Espanyol are doing an excellent job of disrupting the champions when they have possession.
51 mins: Chance for the hosts! Olivan has the beating of his man and gets the cross into the box, but it’s cleared behind for a corner kick. There’s a great atmosphere at the RCDE Stadium! That isn’t always the case, but the fans are backing their team!
50 mins: Vinicius goes down! Calero just nudges the Real Madrid winger as he attempts to control a pass from Valverde into the middle and that was enough to send him to the ground. There was nothing in that and the referee ignores the half-hearted claims for a penalty.
46 mins: The second half is under way! Real Madrid need to do more to make sure their dominance counts for something in terms of the scoreline.
45 mins: HALF TIME! Espanyol 1-1 Real Madrid. Real Madrid had control of the match for much of the first half, but Espanyol grew into the contest and they are level again after Joselu’s equaliser!
44 mins: GOAL! Espanyol 1 (44′ Joselu) Real Madrid 1 – An equaliser! It had been coming! Joselu got the shot away on the turn, Courtois made the save, the ball bounced back into his path from the back of Militao and he makes no mistake with the second attempt!
Joselu sends the RCDE wild! 🔵⚪
Espanyol are level with Real Madrid just before half time 👀 pic.twitter.com/MygzVVmwpo
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) August 28, 2022
43 mins: Just past the far post! Espanyol come close to equalising! The corner kick delivery was a good one, Cabrera got up highest, but his glancing header bounces wide of the far post. The home team are applying some genuine pressure now!
42 mins: Rudiger makes the challenge! Espanyol worked the opportunity, but Joselu’s touch wasn’t good enough and that allowed the Real Madrid centre back to make the tackle to prevent the striker from getting the shot away.
39 mins: There’s been a lot of focus on Tchouameni after Casemiro’s surprise exit from Real Madrid, but the young Frenchman has been very impressive in this first half.
1 – Aurélien Tchouaméni 🇫🇷 has made his first assist in just three appearances for Real Madrid in LaLiga – Casemiro 🇧🇷 failed to make a single assist in his last 18 league games for Real Madrid. Premiere. pic.twitter.com/pVkpauefwM
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 28, 2022
36 mins: Darder plays a ball over the top from deep looking for the run of Sanchez, but Courtois was quick to recognise the danger and was waiting on the edge of the box to gather. That could be a route for Espanyol, though!
35 mins: Benzema on the half-volley! That was strange! Benzema’s half-volley is scrambled away and then Exposito’s header back very nearly creates problems for his own team, but it goes behind for a corner kick. That was some shaky defending!
33 mins: Real Madrid dropped out of the match for about five minutes there, but they have possession again and are pressing for a second goal before the half time break.
32 mins: Over the top! Vinicius is found at the back post, he takes the touch to control, but could only chip the ball over the top of the crossbar when he probably should have hit the target! That was an opportunity for the Brazilian to double Real Madrid’s lead.
28 mins: Vinicius has been Real Madrid’s danger man in this first half. He scored the opener and his runs in behind are giving Espanyol a lot of problems.
💨 😮💨 The kid’s got talent…@vinijr | #EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/OFt8ebpAuq
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 28, 2022
26 mins: Mistake by Alaba! The Real Madrid defender played a loose pass to the edge of his own box where Puado was able to control it and get the shot away. However, the block is made and Espanyol can’t do anything to make the most of the opportunity.
23 mins: Militao carries the ball out from defence. He beats one, then two, then three, but is dispossessed and that allows Darder to drive forward. He can’t resist the shot, but the ball flies well over the target!
20 mins: Espanyol believe they should have been awarded a spot kick for what they saw as a handball by Tchouameni inside the box. But nothing is given, and that’s the correct decision – his arms were by his body and the ball struck his chest.
19 mins: Vinicius is denied! The Real Madrid winger is released through on goal, but the angle was tight for him and Lecomte is able to make the save at his near post! Vinicius has started very brightly. Espanyol are struggling to stop him.
14 mins: The finish from Vinicius was great, but the play of Tchouameni was crucial to making that goal happen. The Frenchman got to the edge of the box and had the presence of mind to pick out the run of his teammate.
12 mins: GOAL! Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 1 (12′ Vinicius Jr) – There’s the opening goal and it’s Vinicius who rolls the ball into the back of the net! Tchouameni played the pass into the Brazilian winger and he converts! Lovely composure from Vinicius there!
Vini Jr. breaks the deadlock with an ice cold finish! 🥶
But what about the work from Tchouaméni to provide the assist too 🙌 pic.twitter.com/N3XoJSXF5l
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) August 28, 2022
6 mins: Vazquez gets down the right side, he keeps the ball in play and gets the delivery into the area, but the clearance is made before it could reach another Real Madrid player.
3 mins: It’s been a challenging start to the season for Espanyol. They have yet to claim a win and their top scorer looks to be on his way out of the club. Can tonight’s match spark them into life?
1 min: The match is under way! Espanyol are in their usual blue and white kits with Real Madrid in a dark grey away kit.
5 mins to KO: The two teams are out on the pitch at the RCDE Stadium. Not long until kick off in this one.
10 mins to KO: There’s no sign of de Tomas for Espanyol. There is speculation that the striker could be on his way out of the La Liga club. Joselu starts in his place. That’s a big blow to Espanyol. RDT is one of the best finishers in the Spanish game right now.
20 mins to KO: Real Madrid actually lost away to Espanyol in La Liga last season. They have a good record at the RCDE Stadium, with the exception of that result.
💪 Arriving for duty!#EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/m6QucUjwGg
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 28, 2022
30 mins to KO: Modric was exceptional in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Celta Vigo at Balaidos last weekend. The Croatian will be 37 next month, but he has never been more influential for Los Blancos. They will need him to be in top form again here!
45 mins to KO: Rudiger looks set to start on the left side of the Real Madrid defence with Alaba and Militao as the centre backs. It could be Alaba at left back, but the suggestions are that Ancelotti views him as central to the way his team plays out from the back.
60 mins to KO: Espanyol team news – Lecomte – Oscar Gil, Calero, Cabrera, Brian Olivan – Vinicius Souza, Edu Exposito, Darder – Javi Puado, Ruben Sanchez – Joselu
Espanyol are still searching for their first win of the La Liga season and they’ll be doing well to claim that maiden victory against Real Madrid.
📋 Here’s how we line up against @realmadriden! #RCDE #EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/SbJOgJbdGJ
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol_EN) August 28, 2022
75 mins to KO: Real Madrid team news – Courtois – Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba – Tchouameni, Modric, Kroos – Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Kroos comes back into the Real Madrid XI after last week’s win over Celta Vigo. Tchouameni keeps his place in the centre of midfield.
📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 @RCDEspanyol_EN #EspanyolRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/1X9WGm9rrR
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 28, 2022
90 mins to KO: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ LIVE coverage of the La Liga fixture between Espanyol and Real Madrid. Ancelotti’s team have started their campaign with back-to-back victories – can they make it three-in-a-row at the RCDE Stadium?
Espanyol vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups
Espanyol will be without key defender Sergi Gomez through suspension following his red card against Rayo, with a one-game ban imposed.
Joselu starts up front for the home team with support provided by Ruben Sanchez and Javi Puado.
Espanyol lineup (4-3-3): Lecomte – Oscar Gil, Calero, Cabrera, Brian Olivan – Vinicius Souza, Edu Exposito, Darder – Javi Puado, Ruben Sanchez – Joselu
Casemiro was omitted from the squad for last weekend’s win over Celta Vigo as he wrapped up a move to Old Trafford, with Aurelien Tchouameni replacing him.
Tchouameni starts as part of an unchanged side with Nacho Fernandez still out. Aurelian Tchouameni keeps his place in midfield.
Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3): Courtois – Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba – Tchouameni, Modric, Kroos – Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
How to watch Espanyol vs. Real Madrid
UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
TV channel | Premier Sports/La Liga TV | ESPN+ | – | – |
Streaming | Premier Sports/La Liga TV | ESPN+ | TSN.ca | Optus Sport |
UK: Matches are carried across Premier Sports/La Liga TV streaming and TV platforms.
USA: Selected La Liga matches are televised on ESPN+ with options available in English and Spanish.
Canada: Every La Liga game streams live and on demand exclusively via TSN.ca.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport.
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