Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live score, updates, highlights & lineups from La Liga

By | April 30, 2022
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One more point and Real Madrid will be kings of Spanish football once again. A draw on Saturday against Espanyol would be enough to mathematically secure their 35th title with four matches remaining. Los Merengues would return to the summit of Spanish football after last finishing top in 2020.

While looking forward to the festivities in front of their home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid are also looking ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Manchester City. For that reason, several reserves will be counted upon to help bring the La Liga title home on Saturday with the likes of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. rested.

As for Espanyol, they are nine points above the relegation zone with five matches to go and that cushion should be enough to ensure safety and a place in La Liga in 2022-23. A potential fourth loss in five games at Madrid would make for a nervy finish to the season for Espanyol, but head-to-head matches against Deportivo Alaves and Granada leaves destiny in their own hands.

What makes clinching the title particularly compelling for Real Madrid is the chance to take the field against intra-city archrivals Atletico Madrid on May 8 as champions, likely compelling Atletico to give them a guard of honor as is customary in Spanish football. 

Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live score

  1H 2H Final
Real Madrid 2 — —
Espanyol 0 — —

Goals:
RMA – Rodrygo (Marcelo) – 33rd min.
RMA – Rodrygo – 44th min.

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live updates, highlights from La Liga

44th min.: Rodrygo recovers to score a second! Another giveaway by Espanyol in the back as Mariano Diaz wins the ball from a defender. The ball falls in the path of Rodrygo who runs at goal and finishes. Rodrygo is being rewarded for a solid season and good recent form.

40th min.: A couple of lengthy stoppages. First it was for Espanyol’s Sergi Gomez who took a knock and looked to be bleeding. Then Rodrygo took a ball to the head and needed some time to recover.

33rd min.: Rodrygo goal! Playing on the left side in place of Vinicius, he combines with compatriot Marcelo and calmly slots home inside the box. A show of personality from Rodrygo. Real Madrid up 1-0.

WATCH THE GOAL: USA  

32nd min.: The teams are now having a harder time to create opportunities now that both sides have settled in. Real Madrid still dictating play, but Espanyol is not intimidated.

The last time that Espanyol came away with a point from the Bernabeu was back in 2012.

22nd min.: Another Mariano Diaz chance! Luka Modric with a delightful cross and Diaz tried too hard on the snap header and it goes wide. That’s three chances for Diaz to start this match.

21st min.: Both teams continuing to exchange blows. Raul de Tomas takes a shot from distance and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois punches away.

13th min.: Real Madrid hit the post! Good work by Casemiro to flick the ball to Mariano on the short corner, but he’s foiled by the woodwork. It’s a pretty even match so far.

7th min.: Espanyol’s turn to take a crack. It’s Vilhena with the left-footed blast from right outside the box, also deflected for a corner. Espanyol will get its looks in this game.

3rd min.: Chance for Real Madrid. Giveaway by Espanyol in the back and Mariano Diaz has a shot in the box deflected for a corner by defender Leandro Cabrera. Nothing comes of the corner.

1st min.: We’re underway. 

1 min from K/O: After Rafa Nadal was on hand for the ceremonial first kick, there was a moment of silence for Freddy Rincon, who played for Real Madrid in 1995-1997.

2 mins from K/O: The players take the field. Marcelo will be charged with hoisting the league trophy should they win it.

60 mins from K/O: Real Madrid fan Rafa Nadal shows up for the big occasions:

60 mins from K/O: The La Liga trophy will be at the Bernabeu, ready to be awarded to Real Madrid:

Real Madrid vs Espanyol lineups

As expected, Carlo Ancelotti rings the changes with the Champions League second leg against Manchester City looming on Wednesday. David Alaba is out injured, and Eder Militao and Nacho are suspended, but a handful of starters are sprinkled into the lineup, including Casemiro playing at center back with Eduardo Camavinga marshaling the midfield.

Real Madrid lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Courtois (GK) — 12-Marcelo, 5-Jesus Vallejo, 14-Casemiro, 17-Lucas Vazquez — 19-Dani Ceballos, 25-Eduardo Camavinga, 10-Luka Modric — 21-Rodrygo, 24-Mariano Diaz, 11-Marco Asensio

Real Madrid subs (10): 13-Lunin, 23-Mendy, 34-Gila, 2-Carvajal, 8-Kroos, 15-Valverde, 22-Isco, 20-Vinicius Jr., 9-Benzema, 45-Diego

Espanyol will be without Oscar Gil, Keidi Bare and Pedrosa, according to Spanish reports. Didac, Embarba and Morlanes, who were projected to be starters, will all start on the bench.

Espanyol lineup (4-4-2, left to right): 13-Diego Lopez (GK) — 4-Cabrera 24-Sergi Gomez, 5-Calero, 22-Aleix Vidal — 19-Vilhena, 10-Darder, 25-Yangel Herrera, 14-Melendo — 9-Javi Puado, 11-Raul de Tomas

Espanyol subs (12): 1-Oier (GK), 34-Joan Garcia (GK), 2-Llambrich, 6-Morlanes, 7-Wu Lei, 8-Fran Merida, 15-David Lopez, 16-Loren, 17-Didac, 18-Dimata, 21-Nico M.R., 23-Embarba

What channel is Real Madrid vs Espanyol

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Sat, April 30 Sat, April 30 Sat, April 30 Sun, May 1
Time 15:15 BST 10:15 ET 10:15 ET 00:15 AET
TV channel LaLigaTV — TSN 4 beIN Sports
Streaming Amazon Prime UK ESPN+ TSN GO, TSN.ca Kayo, beIN Sports Connect

UK: LaLiga TV will broadcast the match in the UK with the stream available on Amazon Prime (for subscribers).

USA: All La Liga matches in the USA are exclusively available in English and Spanish on ESPN+.

Canada: TSN has the rights to La Liga in Canada and will televise and stream the match.

Australia: beIN Sports broadcasts La Liga in Australia on TV and streaming.

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