Real Madrid need until the 90th minute to beat ten-day-old resistance in Cornellà
Bellingham headed them in front after nine minutes, Cala levelled on 30, and Espanyol's goalkeeper made six saves. Carlos Espí settled it from close range at 90.
Real Madrid started their league season the easy way: a Jude Bellingham header from the middle of the box, nine minutes in, bottom left corner.
Then they spent 81 minutes finding out that Espanyol — who had opened with a 3-0 win over Levante — were not going to fold. Cala levelled on 30 with a left-footed shot into the top corner, and the game stayed there for an hour.
Twenty-one shots, two off the woodwork, one late finish
Madrid had 63% of the ball, 21 shots to Espanyol's eight, seven corners to none, and 2.92 expected goals against 1.12. They also hit the woodwork twice and had six shots blocked. Espanyol's goalkeeper made six saves.
Carlos Espí ended it on 90 minutes, from very close range. Three points, and rather more work than the numbers above suggest they should have needed.
Match facts
- 9' — Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), header
- 30' — Cala (Espanyol)
- 90' — Carlos Espí (Real Madrid)
| Stat | Espanyol | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 37% | 63% |
| Total shots | 8 | 21 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 8 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.12 | 2.92 |
| Accurate passes | 271 (83%) | 509 (92%) |
| Corners | 0 | 7 |
| Offsides | 3 | 0 |
| Fouls committed | 19 | 7 |
| Yellow cards | 5 | 1 |
| Saves | 6 | 2 |
What's next
Madrid open with three points from their first match, six behind nobody yet — Sevilla are the only side in Spain with two wins. Espanyol have four points from two, which after a 3-0 and a one-goal defeat to Real Madrid is a decent fortnight's work.
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