Sunday October 2, 2011 Day 7 Finished Estadio Cornellá-El Prat

RCD Espanyol 0 - 4 Real Madrid

  • Higuaín 17’, 66’, 89’
  • Callejón 82’

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  1. Higuain hat-trick boosts Real

    Higuain hat-trick boosts Real

    Real Madrid were under pressure to win at Espanyol but responded with an emphatic 4-0 away triumph. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • RCD Espanyol
    • Real Madrid
    • 90+4' FULL TIME: Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 4. Real move up to third, thanks for joining us.
    • 90+3' We're into the dying embers of the match and it's been a good performance by Real.
    • 90+1' Into added time and Ronaldo's long-range shot is saved by Alvarez.
    • 89' GOAL! Higuain is in to poach his hat-trick goal. It's poor defending but a confident dinked finish to wrap things up at 0-4.
    • 89' Callejon wins a free-kick after an Espanyol corner came to nothing. Not long to go now.
    • 87' Ronaldo has a smile on his face even though he's not scored tonight. It was great work from him for Callejon's goal.
    • 86' Garcia tries his luck with a snap-shot that again brings Casillas into action.
    • 85' This scoreline does not reflect the real nature of the game and the test posed by the hosts but it's a job well done for Mourinho's men.
    • 84' Esteban Granero gets another outing as he comes on for Kaka.
    • 83' Callejon doesn't celebrate against his old team but he's wrapped up the three points here.
    • 82' GOAL! Ronaldo unselfishly tees up Callejon who nets against his former club with a firm finish. 0-3.
    • 80' Weiss is booked for a rough challenge on Ramos.
    • 78' A collector's item as Ronaldo misses his kick from a Marcelo pass. Ronaldo recovers his composure to pick out Marcelo but the Brazilian's shot bounces off the turf and over the top.
    • 77' Ozil is off with Jose Callejon given a good reception as his replacement.
    • 76' Weiss looks offside but he chips the ball towards Garcia, who is unable to connect at the far post.
    • 75' Weiss has been busy but he'll regret that missed opportunity. A goal then would really have put some pressure on Madrid.
    • 74' Christian Alfonso replaces Romaric for the hosts.
    • 73' Ozil is down hurt but it's Espanyol who are preparing to make another change.
    • 71' Didac gets forward to great effect to reach a pass from Datolo but Weiss can only fire wide with the goal at his mercy. Poor finish and it will probably prove costly.
    • 71' Sami Khedira replaces Diarra as Mourinho makes a change.
    • 71' Weiss looks lively down the right but the Slovakian substitute's cross is too close to Casillas.
    • 70' That strike has knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and Ronaldo fires across goal as he chases a third.
    • 68' Jesus Datolo has come on for Marquez but Espanyol face an uphill battle now.
    • 68' Higuain's strike was a majestic one. It's his second goal for him in only his second start of the season and it's a beauty.
    • 66' GOAL! Arbeloa's long ball forward is smashed home by Higuain for a stupendous second. 0-2.
    • 66' Real do look menacing and are on top at the moment.
    • 64' Lopez gets in a block as Ronaldo sprints through but finds the angle tight for his shot. The Portuguese ace is hunting another goal to add to his season's tally.
    • 63' Garcia has to do better as he tries to force his way through but finds the door is shut pretty easily.
    • 62' Lopez wins a corner for his team and Ramos heads it behind for a second flag-kick in quick succession. Casillas gets his hand to it and eventually Xabi Alonso clears his lines.
    • 61' The home fans try to get behind the team in a bid to raise their tempo and spirits. Real have looked comfortable for the last 10 minutes or so.
    • 59' Weiss goes to ground inside the box and concedes a free-kick for a foul as he looks for a penalty.
    • 58' Marquez makes a fair but clattering challenge on Kaka to concede a corner. A bit of pressure from Real at the moment.
    • 56' Manchester City loanee Vladimir Weiss comes on for Thievy.
    • 55' Didac Vila and Garcia do well in the build-up and Romaric blasts a left-footed shot wide.
    • 55' Kaka's flag-kick goes straight to captain Alvarez who gets Espanyol moving forward again.
    • 55' Ramos joins the attack and Ronaldo wins a corner off Lopez.
    • 53' Diarra goes to ground but makes a fair challenge on Verdu.
    • 52' Javi Lopez heads away bravely when a Ronaldo backheel causes a slight moment of panic.
    • 51' Ronaldo dribbles through with intent but his shot goes wide as he seeks a 10th of the season.
    • 50' Diarra makes a late challenge and becomes the first Real player in the book.
    • 50' Kaka and Ronaldo link well on the left again. Those two remain a real threat.
    • 49' Espanyol have come out for the second half in determined fashion. They're in the ascendancy at the moment.
    • 48' Albiol and Marquez collide in midfield but it's an accident and they're both okay.
    • 46' Romaric did have a case when he was booked for protesting in the first half. Video replays at the break have shown Albiol was tugging at his shirt.
    • 46' The second half has started - Espanyol are still very much in this game.
    • 45+2' HALF TIME: Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 1. Ronaldo had a claim for handball by Verdu but there was nothing doing in injury time.
    • 45' Javi Marquez hits a thunderbolt drive that Casillas punches to safety. It's a spectacular attempt but Verdu then musters a disappointing effort.
    • 43' Half-time approaching and it's been a tough assignment for Real but they're coping well.
    • 41' Sergio Garcia forces a brilliant one-handed save out of Casillas but, remarkably, the referee doesn't spot it and awards a goal kick.
    • 41' Alonso's set-piece is dreadful as it goes straight through to Alvarez.
    • 40' Ronaldo is decked by Lopez, another player on a yellow card. Just a free-kick though.
    • 39' Raul Albiol cuts out a dangerous pass by Verdu - stylish work from the recalled defender.
    • 38' Romaric clatters into Ramos to concede a foul - he needs to be careful as he's on a booking.
    • 38' There's an end-to-end spell and the home fans are vocal when they feel Marcelo had failed to keep the ball in.
    • 36' Thievy is a threat and his effort from the edge of the box works the diving Casillas.
    • 35' Marcelo's low drive is fielded by Alvarez with minimum fuss.
    • 33' Thievy has the ball at his feet inside the box as Ramos makes a slip but the Spain defender recovers after a poor first touch from the youngster and the chance quickly passes.
    • 32' Ozil and Ronaldo combine well and the ball is eventually cleared to Diarra, who fizzes a well-executed drive wide.
    • 31' Ramos concedes a corner that Verdu takes but the referee spots a foul in the box and books Romaric, presumably for dissent.
    • 29' Espanyol are starting to leave their mark with some rugged challenges. It could knock Real out of their stride.
    • 29' Javi Lopez is cautioned for a clumsy tackle on danger man Ronaldo.
    • 28' Thievy tries to run through but is flagged offside.
    • 26' Ronaldo displays a silken touch to bring the ball out of the air on the touchline. Amazing control.
    • 25' Verdu's cross from the left is easily gathered by Casillas.
    • 24' Thievy tangles with Diarra and is booked for bringing down his fellow Frenchman.
    • 22' Joan Verdu slips as he sends a shot well wide of Casillas' right-hand post.
    • 20' Higuain wins a free-kick midway inside the home half. Alonso's free-kick comes off Higuain and is scrambled away by Alvarez but the whistle has gone anyway.
    • 19' Casillas is out bravely to snuff out the danger when Espanyol try to mount a response.
    • 18' Kaka's pass through to Ronaldo did brush the former Manchester United man's arm as he controlled it but it would have been harsh to penalise him.
    • 17' GOAL! Just after that scare, Ronaldo plays in Higuain who clips past Alvarez with his right foot for the opener. There were appeals for handball against Ronaldo but the goal stands.
    • 15' Romaric floats an outrageous shot just wide with his left foot. It sails over Iker Casillas, who is off his line, but drops off target. Great stuff.
    • 15' Higuain nudges the ball well wide after Kaka gets down the left again - it's proving to be a useful avenue down that flank.
    • 13' The pace is very slow when Real are in possession, until Ronaldo tries to inject more pace and thrust. Marcelo's starting to get forward which could be something to look out for as the game progresses.
    • 12' Gonzalo Higuain is pulled up for offside and it's stop-start at the moment.
    • 10' It's still a real battle for supremacy and neither side has really got on top yet. Real look the bigger threat perhaps due to the presence of Ronaldo and Kaka.
    • 8' Mourinho is busy making notes on the bench. His side are defending well early on with Ramos in commanding form.
    • 6' Kaka shows snakehips to dribble his way into the area from the left - he wins a corner but it comes to nothing.
    • 5' Lassana Diarra's pass to Ronaldo just runs through to Alvarez but it was the right idea from the France international.
    • 5' Espanyol look like they're going to have a go at Madrid and it's making for an open match.
    • 4' Real really need to make up ground to get back towards the top of the table but Ronaldo has already showed his intent with that effort.
    • 3' Cristiano Ronaldo is in the mood already. The Portugal star hits a swerving drive that Cristian Alvarez unconvincingly palms against the foot of a post. So close.
    • 2' Thievy Boufama shows his pace with an early run but the attack fizzles out.
    • 1' The home side make early in-roads in Barcelona but Sergio Ramos makes the interception.
    • 1' We're underway at the Cornella-El Prat, this should be an interesting affair.
    • 20:58 Barcelona's match has finished as they defeated Sporting Gijon 1-0 with an early Adriano goal. We have live comments up on Real's bid to follow suit.
    • 20:54 Espanyol have been in great form at home so they should provide a test for Real. Jordi Amarat and Walter Pandiani are both suspended and Angel Di Maria is banned for the visitors.
    • 20:50 Real are overwhelming favourites with the bookmakers to get the three points and Jose Mourinho's starting XI certainly packs a punch.
    • 20:40 TEAMS: ESPANYOL: Cristian; Javi Lopez, Hector Moreno, Forlin, Didac, Baena, Romaric, Verdu, Javi Marquez, Sergio Garcia, Thievy. Subs: Fonte, Weiss, Galan, Casilla, Datolo, Alfonso, Rodriguez. /// REAL MADRID: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Alonso, Diarra, Kaka, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain. Subs: Adan, Varane, Khedira, Granero, Altintop, Callejon, Joselu.
    • - Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Espanyol's Liga clash against Real Madrid. Kick-off is at 9pm UK time - we'll be here with all the team news and build-up from around 8.40pm.

  • Summary

    • 89' GOAL! Higuain is in to poach his hat-trick goal. It's poor defending but a confident dinked finish to wrap things up at 0-4.
    • 82' GOAL! Ronaldo unselfishly tees up Callejon who nets against his former club with a firm finish. 0-3.
    • 71' Didac gets forward to great effect to reach a pass from Datolo but Weiss can only fire wide with the goal at his mercy. Poor finish and it will probably prove costly.
    • 66' GOAL! Arbeloa's long ball forward is smashed home by Higuain for a stupendous second. 0-2.
    • 45' Javi Marquez hits a thunderbolt drive that Casillas punches to safety. It's a spectacular attempt but Verdu then musters a disappointing effort.
    • 36' Thievy is a threat and his effort from the edge of the box works the diving Casillas.
    • 17' GOAL! Just after that scare, Ronaldo plays in Higuain who clips past Alvarez with his right foot for the opener. There were appeals for handball against Ronaldo but the goal stands.
    • 15' Romaric floats an outrageous shot just wide with his left foot. It sails over Iker Casillas, who is off his line, but drops off target. Great stuff.
    • 3' Cristiano Ronaldo is in the mood already. The Portugal star hits a swerving drive that Cristian Alvarez unconvincingly palms against the foot of a post. So close.
    • 20:40 TEAMS: ESPANYOL: Cristian; Javi Lopez, Hector Moreno, Forlin, Didac, Baena, Romaric, Verdu, Javi Marquez, Sergio Garcia, Thievy. Subs: Fonte, Weiss, Galan, Casilla, Datolo, Alfonso, Rodriguez. /// REAL MADRID: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Alonso, Diarra, Kaka, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain. Subs: Adan, Varane, Khedira, Granero, Altintop, Callejon, Joselu.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • RCD Espanyol

    Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

  • Real Madrid

    Manager: José Mourinho

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.3 -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 5 -
      5.5 -
      5.1 -
      5 -
      Midfielders
      5.2 -
      Substitution Out68′ 5.2 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out56′ 5.2 -
      5.2 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out73′ 5.6 -
      Strikers
      5.6 -
      Subs
      Substitution In68′ 4.9 -
      Substitution In56′ Yellow Card 4.7 -
      Substitution In73′ 4.2 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.9 -
      Defenders
      6 -
      6.4 -
      5.8 -
      6.1 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out71′ 5.7 -
      6.8 -
      Substitution Out77′ 6.7 -
      Substitution Out84′ 7.3 -
      6.2 -
      Strikers
      Goals ×3 7.5 -
      Subs
      Substitution In71′ 6.2 -
      Substitution In77′ Goal 6.4 -
      Substitution In84′ 5.4 -

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