Two minutes of added time now, which is good news for Espanyol as they can quickly hop on the flight back to Barcelona, with comfort in knowing that they can't face Real Madrid again this season. Two 6-0 defeats against Los Blancos this camapign for them - not the best.
88'
Some absolutely delightful work from Isco as he turns sharply 30 yards out and glides past challenge after challenge before threading a lovely pass in behind the defence for Ronaldo. The former Manchester United man, uncharacteristically, is on his heels when the ball comes to him, which means he fails to take possession in to get the shot away.
86'
Ó. Duarte is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLL FOR REAL MADRID! FURTHER MISERY FOR ESPANYOL! Jese takes on the opposition defence with a superb dribble down the left channel before finding a yard of space to lash a wicked cross along the six-yard box! Duarte, in his attempts to clear, scores the own goal on his debut! Six-nil!
84'
Casemiro gets yellow.
Some of the tackles flying in tonight are certainly deserving of yellow cards, but this one from Casemiro certainly isn't one of them. The Brazilian takes a heavy touch in front of the Madrid defence and then attempts to win possession back with a strong tackle on Hernan, in which he clearly wins the ball. The official doesn't see it this way though and brandishes the booking.
82'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Jesé.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! A HAT-TRICK FOR RONALDO! James and Jese link up impressively down the left wing and the latter eventually moves into space before dinking a perfect cross to the back post. The Portuguese is typically on hand to send a predatory header past the keeper into the net! Five-nil!
A superb assist from the substitute, Jese, as he delivers into the box for Ronaldo's third.
79'
Ronaldo stands over a free kick in a similar position to his outstanding attempt from a few minutes ago. This time, though, he opts to change things up with a clipped cross to the back post, but it seems like even his team-mates were certain he was going to shoot as none are ready to meet it with a header. The closest is Ramos, who fails with a half-hearted penalty appeal.
77'
Álvaro González gets yellow.
It is almost like Alvaro has been begging the referee for a yellow card tonight with some of the tackles he has made, and the latest finally sees him punished as he takes out Jese unceremoniously a yard outside the box.
76'
Third and final change from Los Blancos now and it is Benzema who leaves the pitch to a warm ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu faithful, with his replacement being Lucas Vazquez, who actually spend a successful period on loan at Espanyol a few seasons ago.
75'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
74'
SAVE FROM NAVAS! Sergio Ramos intercepts a low cross at the front post, but ends up slipping, which opens up the door for Abraham. The substitute goes for goal, but is quickly closed down by the Real Madrid goalkeeper, who proactively comes off his line to make himself make and make the block.
Minute
Description
72'
Arlauskis throws out the goalkeeping handbook here as he runs out from his line to confront Ronaldo, only to chase the Portuguese all the way out to the wing before putting out for a throw-in with a surprisingly good tackle. That is arguably better defending than what has been displayed by the actual defensive players of Espanyol tonight.
70'
Casemiro enters the game and replaces T. Kroos.
Second change from Zidane now, who flexes the muscles of his squad. Introduced into the action is Casemiro, who comes on to replace Kroos in the middle of midfield, and who will provide just a litle bit of steel in the latter stages.
68'
RONALDOOOOO! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! The Portuguese stands over a free kick just a yard or so out from the box on the left channel and steps up to fire an outstanding strike dipping towards the top corner! It JUST doesn't dip quickly enough though and ends up slamming into the top of the net! So unlucky!
66'
Marcelo is once again involved in the action positively for Real Madrid as he takes the ball in to feet down the left flank before flashing a pass into the feet of Ronaldo, who subsequently finds Benzema. The Frenchman goes for the first-time strike aimed at the top right corner, but it is a miscue from him, which sees Espanyol gifted the goal kick.
64'
First change from Zidane now and it is a surprising one as Modric leaves the action to be replaced by Jese, which will likely signal either Isco or James move into a more deeper role in midfield alongside Kroos. The substitute will move into attack alongside Benzema and Ronaldo.
63'
Jesé enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
62'
Zidane probably won't be too happy with how much his side have took their foot off the gas since the break, which sounds a bit harsh, but the Frenchman clearly likes his teams to play with a certain intensity. Nothing much about this game at all is intense at the moment.
60'
Espanyol habven't been on a run away from home this bad since all the way back in 2002, and the way they are playing tonight, you can see why. There doesn't look to be much organisation at the back which is probably the most alarming this, but Real Madrid have barely broke a sweat to claim a 4-0 lead.
58'
Third and fial change from Galca now and it looks like it may be a forced one as Victor Sanchez hobbles off to the side of the pitch to be replaced by Abraham. The visitors better hope they don't incur any more injuries for the remaining 30 minutes or so of play...
57'
Abraham enters the game and replaces Víctor Sánchez.
56'
Isco has been imperious so far for Madrid and the only thing missing from his performance has been a goal. He attempts to correct this with a gliding run and subsequent shot on goal from about 25 yards, but he fails to test the Espanyol keeper, who comfortably sees it over.
54'
Fuentes, who has only been involved in the action 10 minutes or so, moves forward down the left channel unopposed before going for a long-range strike from around 30 yards. His shot is certainly well-struck, but it is a convenient height for Navas, who solidly puts a hand out to palm wide.
52'
Some scintillating play from Real Madrid at the moment as they continue to knock at the Espanyol door, searching for more goals. The latest sweeping attack comes through James, who moves into space before threading a lovely pass in behind the defence for Carvajal, who stands a teasing cross to the back post. Much better from Arlauskis this time, though, who proactively comes off his line to claim.
50'
Marcelo has more or less played as a winger tonight, such as the way Real Madrid have Espanyol pinned inside their own half. The Brazilian pops up once again to latch on to an impressive diagonal from Modric before heading into the path of Benzema and exchanging a one-two.
48'
It will be interesting to see how Espanyol approach this second period, as they already know they won't get anything out of the game. Galca has more than likely advised his chargess to treat the second half as if it was 0-0, perhaps in an attempt to claw back some confidence.
46'
Fuentes enters the game and replaces Rubén Duarte.
Ó. Duarte enters the game and replaces Salva Sevilla.
We are back under way at Santiago Bernabeu!
The second, sees Salva Sevilla make way for Oscar Duarte.
Two changes from Espanyol at the break. The first sees Ruben Duarte withdrawn, with Rafael Fuenters entering the action.
45'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! PURE INSPIRATION FROM RONALDO! The Portuguese takes on the entire Espanyol defence with a twisting and turning run and eventually gains a yard on Roco before rifling a sizziling strike into the top left corner! Terrific! Four-nil!
44'
What a miss from Salva Sevilla! Espanyol catch Real Madrid out with a sweeping counterattack down the right wing and the the ball eventually comes to the former Betis man at the back post, who can only muster up a tame left-footed strike at goal which Navas blocks after coming out to narrow the angle!
42'
M. Sylla gets yellow.
Javi López gets yellow.
Sylla has been an attacking non-entity so far so has decided to see if he will have more luck in the defensive side of the game. This proves to be ill-advised as, in an attempt to help Duarte out at left-back, completely takes out James with an over-zealous tackle and ends up giving away the free kick, and getting booked in the process.
Yellow card for Javi Lopez, as Espanyol start to tally up the bookings.
39'
Espanyol get the chance to pose some kind of a threat to Madrid with a free kick opportunity deep down the left channel, which Salva Sevilla will be tasked with. He eventually swings the set-piece dangerously into the area, and Alvaro meets it with a glancing header, but the attempt just has a little too much on it and ends up looping harmlessly over the bar, not troubling Navas.
37'
P. Diop gets yellow.
First yellow card of the match now and it is a deserved one for Diop as he painfully leaves the boot in on Kroos' shin just a few yards outside the centre circle. The German goes down and yelps in pain, with the Espanyol midfielder correctly punished by the referee.
34'
James bursts a gut to get on the end of a loose ball deep down the right wing, and eventually collects before moving into space and whipping teasing cross to the back post. Ronaldo does well to keep the attack alive with a clever flick aimed at the unmarked Benzema, but Alvaro is on hand to make the vital clearance.
32'
Marcelo hugs the touchline down the left and picks up the ball before going on a marauding run towards goal, jinking past Hernan Perez and Javi Lopez in the process. The Brazilian receives an ovation from the crowd after the move is over, even if he failed to find a team-mate inside the box with his subsequent cross.
30'
Madrid have a real penalty shout here as James looks poised to pull the trigger inside the box, only to go down under the high challenge of Roco, who gave away the first spotkick for a foul on Ronaldo. He is let off the hook on this occasion, though, as the referee waves play on despite the Colombian's protests.
28'
One major tactic that Zidane clearly wants Madrid to employ is intense pressure on the ball high up the park, especially at Santiago Bernabeu. The lesser Liga sides, like Espanyol, simply won't be able to deal with being constantly hustled on the ball in and around their own area, which is exactly which is happening here.
26'
Well, the good news for Espanyol is that they have now went 10 minutes in this game without conceding a goal, which may not sound like much, but the way they started the game it actually goes down as a slight achievement! How long can they hold out before Madrid find the net again?
24'
Marcelo goes on a signature run down the left wing and then flashes a pass into the feet of Benzema. The Frenchman turns to face goal before attempting to nick the ball through the legs of the oncoming Alvaro, but the Espanyol defender reads the skill well and makes the strong tackle to intercept.
22'
We are only 22 minutes into this Spanish Primera Division clash but already Espanyol are starting to show signs of real frustration out there. The latest guilty party is Salva Sevilla, who just leaves the boot in slightly on Marcelo after an altercation down the right touchline, which the Brazilian rightly takes exception to.
20'
Arlauskis is actually making his debut tonight after making the move from Watford in the Premier League, and it is certainly a baptism of fire for the Lithuanian, who is up against a rather frightening attack of Real Madrid. He is going to be a busy man between the sticks for the Periquitos this evening...
18'
Well, where do Constantin Galca and his charges go from here? They are already 3-0 down in one of the hardest stadiums in the world to play football as the away team, and the worst thing about it all is that we aren't even a quarter of the way through the game. Damage limitation time?
16'
J. Rodríguez has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by L. Modrić.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! THREE WITHIN 15 MINUTES! James breaks the Espanyol offside trap and takes possession into feet before shifting on to his left foot and smashing a strike at goal. Unfortunately for the away side, the attempt cannons off the foot of Diop before flashing past the keeper and into the top corner! Three-nil - incredible!
Modric gets on the assist list with a precision pass driven into the feet of James.
14'
Espanyol are sinking without a trace here and really need to sort themselves out at the back or they risk coming on the end of yet another demolition at Santiago Bernabeu. A superb start from Real Madrid, though, who are vying to take advantage of Atletico Madrid dropping points against Barcelona yesterday.
12'
Penalty goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLL FOR REAL MADRID! Ronaldo steps up and emphatically lashes the penalty into the bottom left corner! Two-nil!
11'
H. Pérez gets yellow.
PENALTY TO MADRID! Ronaldo receives the ball inside the box and turns sharply before looking poised to pull the trigger, but before he can do so he is clumsily scythed down by Roco, in what is a very poor tackle!
Hernan Perez, rather stupidly, goes into the book for complaining about the awarded penalty.
9'
Espanyol respond positively to going a goal down as they venture straight into the final third from the kick-off. Hernan Perez leads the charge forward and then hits the byline before lashing a cross-cum-shot towards the near post, but luckily for Madrid, Navas is positioned perfectly to make the block. Cause for encouragement for the visitors.
7'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by J. Rodríguez.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! THE HOSTS GET OFF TO A FLYER! James makes his way down the right wing and then cleverly cuts back in on his left foot before whipping a superb cross into the danger area for Benzema, who makes no mistake with the chance and sends a terrific header into the bottom corner! One-nil!
A lovely assist from James, who has been deployed down the right in the opening stages. A great cross in for Benzema!
5'
Madrid have been superb in the opening stages here at Santiago Bernabeu, and seem intent on putting on a performance after the disappointing draw away to Betis last week. Los Blancos have more success against Espanyol than any other club in Spain, and judging by how the game is started, they are going to continue the trend.
3'
SAAAAAVE FROM ARLAUSKIS! Ronaldo picks up the ball to feet on the edge of the box and skips past the challenge of the defender before rifliing a strike at goal, which the Espanyol goalkeeper gets down to block. Benzema goes in for the rebound, but commits the foul on Alvaro, resulting in a free kick to the visitors.
1'
We are under way at Santiago Bernabeu!
With Atletico Madrid losing against Barcelona yesterday afternoon, tonight's match presents Los Blancos with the opportunity to close the gap on their city rivals, which currently sits at four points near the top of the table. The chasm between them and Luis Enrique's outfit is still cause for concern, but the second half of the season has a promising feel to it after Zinedine Zidane's appointment as head coach, so the difference is certainly not insurmountable.
Good evening football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division clash between Real Madrid and Espanyol from the Santiago Bernabeu!
The pre-match stats don't make particularly good reading for Periquitos fans this evening. Espanyol have not defeated Real Madrid in 16 matches in all competitions and have lost all of their last seven league games away from home, while another loss tonight would confirm their worst away run in 14 years. Los Blancos have also scored an average of 5.4 goals at home in their least five wins at Santiago Bernabeu.
Espanyol are currently situated 14th in the Spanish Primera Division, but their position doesn't really tell the full story of their predicament at the moment as they are just four points clear of the relegation zone with 22 points taken from 21 matches. Constantin Galca's charges face yet another battle to avoid the drop unless they can start picking up more wins.
The Frenchman took over as Real Madrid boss after the tumultuous tenure of Rafa Benitez, and has enjoyed an unbeaten start in his first three games in charge. The first two matches were particularly impressive, and ended 5-0 and 5-1 against Sporting and Deportivo respectively, but last week, he suffered his first set-back after only managing to guide the capital club to a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Betis, further losing ground on the top of the table as a result.
TEAM NEWS...
The last clash between Real Madrid and Espanyol took place in the middle of December in the league and ended in a comprehensive 6-0 win for the Spanish capital club. It was in this match that Cristiano Ronaldo hit a stunning five goals for Los Blancos, so the visitors tonight will be hoping the Portuguese isn't in similar form this evening.
Real Madrid subs: Kiko Casilla, Nacho, Casemiro, Vazquez, Kovacic, Jese, Danilo.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, James, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
The teams have made their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick-off!
Half time at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid have all but sealed the three points in this Spanish Primera Division match as they go into the break with a healthy 4-0 lead against lowly Espanyol. Ronaldo has been on the scoresheet twice, with the second just before half-time being a cracker, while Benzema and James have also found the net. Expect more goals after the break!
Full time at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid close the gap on Atletico Madrid in second place and in emphatic fashion as they run out 6-0 winners over Espanyol in La Liga. Ronaldo was once again the scourge of the Periquitos and netted a superb hat-trick on the night, with Benzema, James, and an own goal from Oscar Duarte also sealing the win. Zidane continues to impress as boss of Los Blancos. Thanks for joining us - see you next time!
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