Vinicius entrance helps unlock stubborn Espanyol defense

BARCELONA — Vinicius Junior made a decisive impact from the bench to help a "much faster" Real Madrid post a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Espanyol on Saturday, leaving it just a point adrift of La Liga leader Barcelona.

After struggling to find its best form so far this season, coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's victory, even though it took its time to crystalize against the determined Catalans.

Brazil star Vinicius started on the bench, but created a goal for Rodrygo before scoring himself to complete Madrid's turnaround, after a Thibaut Courtois own goal gifted the visitor the lead early in the second half.

Dani Carvajal leveled for Madrid soon afterwards, before Vinicius took the reins, with Kylian Mbappe adding a late penalty to score in his fourth consecutive game for the club.

"I thought it was a good game, (the players) reacted well after Espanyol's goal, we played much better, having more chances and I am happy," Ancelotti told reporters.

Madrid has not been at its most fluent, but this was a cut above its recent displays and the Italian was impressed.

"We played much faster, touching the ball quicker up front, with some better movement," noted Ancelotti.

"Mobility is a very important weapon. Bit by bit we're returning to our best version."

The comprehensive victory was Madrid's 38th consecutive La Liga game without defeat, its last loss in the competition coming just under a year ago, against Atletico Madrid in September 2023.

"That says a lot, not losing games in so many weeks is really nice, but we have to continue," said Madrid captain Luka Modric.

"It's quality, character, commitment from the team, everyone is ready when called on. Those are the key factors."

Madrid had a stranglehold on the first half without being able to make the breakthrough, with Mbappe heavily involved, hunting for his sixth goal of the season across all competitions.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a fine save at his near post to thwart the France captain's effort from a tight angle, among other stops.

Increasingly frustrated, Mbappe was booked for protesting against a decision called against him.

Madrid has been able to score just one first-half goal in eight matches this season, but on this occasion it was racking up the chances.

Carlos Romero came close for the promoted visitor early in the second period with a strike that flew off target, but it was mostly one-way traffic from Los Blancos.

Madrid was therefore stunned when the visitor took the lead in the 54th minute, with Courtois clumsily deflecting Jofre Carreras' cross into his own net.

Stylish comeback

Ancelotti sent on Vinicius immediately afterward, but it was Carvajal who leveled four minutes later, tapping home on the line after Jude Bellingham's cross squirmed away from the previously flawless Garcia.

Espanyol's resistance crumbled, and Vinicius produced a sublime cross with the outside of his boot to tee up Rodrygo for the second.

Mbappe unselfishly slipped Vinicius through on goal to tuck home the third, before the former Paris-Saint Germain star dispatched a late penalty himself to complete a sizeable victory.

It was Mbappe's fourth La Liga goal of the season, pulling him level with Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski as top scorer.

It was Endrick who won the penalty, when he burst into the box and was dragged down by Romero.

Ancelotti said he had to be "unfair" to the 18-year-old Brazil striker, who is yet to start for the club.

"It's unfair because, on one hand, he's training very well, but on the other, we have Rodrygo, Mbappe and Vinicius up front. You have to be a bit patient," he said.

AFP